President Erhürman conducts an inspection at the Metehan crossing
President Tufan Erhürman has inspected the ongoing works at the Metehan crossing and made a statement to the press. He was accompanied by Mehmet Harmancı, the Mayor of the Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality.
Photos
President Tufan Erhürman on Wednesday visited the Metehan crossing, where he inspected the ongoing works and made a statement to the press.
Mehmet Harmancı, the Mayor of Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality accompanied the President.
In his statement to the press, President Erhürman said that works were launched early December to ease traffic congestion at the Metehan crossing by Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot contractors, and that the section undertaken by the Turkish Cypriot contractor, have been completed as of today. The President added that the Greek Cypriot contractors are expected to complete their part as soon as possible.
“LET US OPEN ALL CROSSINGS TOGETHER. . .”
President Erhürman stated: "We are talking about four new crossings along the route from Haspolat to Akıncılar, and from Kiracıköy to Eylence. We have proposals to bring this issue to the agenda, as well as additional proposals that we raised after being elected. Let us open all crossings together. The section from Kiracıköy to Eylence is not necessarily essential for Turkish Cypriots, however we take this into serious consideration. Greek Cypriots face difficulties when traveling from Kiracıköy to Larnaca, or Eylence to Nicosia, and there is a request to remedy this. We take this request seriously. We are not saying it is 'unimportant for Turkish Cypriots.' It is important for Greek Cypriots, and Turkish Cypriots will of course also use that route.”
The President continued: “Accordingly, we have proposed new measures, which I believe are highly constructive. They have also been regarded as constructive by parties other than the two sides. I am therefore awaiting approval from Greek Cypriot Leader Christodoulides so that we can simultaneously open both Haspolat and Akıncılar, whilst also easing and shortening the travel for Greek Cypriots from Kiracıköy to Eylence. This way, we send a positive message to both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots: that as two leaders, we are taking steps to make their daily lives easier and to further enhance trust, people-to-people contacts, and communication between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
PRESIDENT ERHÜRMAN REMINDS THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE OF ITS COMMITMENT TO ISSUE ROAD TAX AT BOSTANCI AND DERINYA CROSSINGS
President Erhürman said that, based on information from Mr. Harmancı, the municipality could also participate in the works and would continue operations in the remaining area on the Turkish side, which, once completed, would significantly ease traffic congestion.
The President recalled that during his meeting with Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides, which was also attended by María Ángela Holguín, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, it was envisaged that the personnel and number of booths on the Greek Cypriot side of the Metehan crossing would be increased to seven following the completion of the works at Metehan. He emphasised that preparations on the Turkish side were also being made to match this number.
The President said it is expected that, by the end of the month, arrangements for the issuance of road tax on the Greek Cypriot side at the Bostancı and Derinya crossings will be completed. President Erhürman also expressed his belief that, in addition to increasing the number of booths and personnel, additional crossings where road taxes are issued would also help ease traffic at Metehan.
“ONLY ONE VEHICLE CROSSING IN LEFKOŞA IS NOT SUFFICIENT, WE HAVE CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS”
President Erhürman stressed that only one vehicle crossing in Lefkoşa is insufficient, and noted that discussions are ongoing regarding a second crossing. He explained that the Turkish side has proposed a vehicle crossing at Haspolat, although no agreement has yet been reached. He added that easing traffic at the Metehan crossing has benefited both sides, and that opening an additional vehicle crossing would further ease the daily lives for everybody by facilitating movement for everyone.
President Erhürman stressed that if these two leaders cannot reach an agreement on a new vehicle crossing in Lefkoşa, it cannot be expected for the same two leaders to take meaningful steps toward a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue.
“We need to instil trust among our peoples,” President Erhürman said. “Under this framework of confidence building measures, one key element is the crossings. Taking action on these issues are crucial. Completing the works and putting new crossings into operation, and having new road tax issuing points are essential for restoring trust between the two sides.”
“PROPOSALS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR ARE UNILATERAL: NO APPROVAL FROM ME IS REQUIRED”
Responding to questions by the press regarding Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides’ proposals in the health and economic sectors, President Erhürman stated that the measures planned in the health sector are unilateral, and therefore do not require his approval.
Regarding the economic proposals, he noted that they are part of the seven-point package of proposals submitted by the Greek Cypriot leader under the Confidence Building Measures, which expands to more than ten points when sub-items are included, and relate specifically to requests concerning the Green Line Trade Regulation. President Erhürman stated that in the ten-point package presented by the Turkish side, certain practices that hinder trade from the North to the South under the Green Line Regulation were identified. President Erhürman underlined that the Turkish side requested the removal of these obstacles and the full implementation of the regulation as written.
The President further noted that, in the next meeting, the Greek Cypriot leader had raised that goods are sent from the North to the South under the Green Line Trade Regulation, but that no value-added tax (VAT) is applied to goods arriving from the South. He explained that the proposal appears to suggest that goods originating from the South should not be subject to VAT in the North, whilst VAT continues to be applied to goods sent from the North to the South.
President Erhürman emphasised that exempting tax for goods from the South would create an economic imbalance, adding that both the Green Line Trade Regulation and the not-yet-implemented Direct Trade Regulation were designed to ensure a fair balance between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot economies and to provide support to the Turkish Cypriot economy. The President underscored that implementing such a measure could place Turkish Cypriot producers at a competitive disadvantage.
He added that the Greek Cypriot side can resolve these issues through its own domestic regulations, but warned that any deviation from the logic of the regulations or the creation of unequal practices would result in an environment of unfair competition.
“WE HAVE PRESENTED NEW AND CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS ON CROSSINGS. . . WE AWAIT APPROVAL”
President Erhürman stressed the need to take concrete steps on crossings and other measures under the Confidence Building Measures framework to address the prolonged lack of trust between the two peoples. He emphasised that improving crossings is a key component of these measures, as increased people-to-people contacts, trust, and communication between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will contribute positively to the overall peace and solution process.
President Erhürman continued: “We are discussing four new crossings along the route from Haspolat to Akıncılar, and from Kiracıköy to Eylence. We have presented proposals to bring this issue to the agenda, as well as additional measures that we have proposed since taking office. I believe it is important to open all the crossings together. The section from Kiracıköy to Eylence is not essential from the Turkish Cypriot perspective, however we take this into serious consideration. Greek Cypriots face difficulties when traveling from Kiracıköy to Larnaca, or Eylence to Nicosia, and there is a request to remedy this. We take this request seriously. We are not saying it is 'unimportant for Turkish Cypriots.' It is important for Greek Cypriots, and Turkish Cypriots will of course also use that route.”
Mehmet Harmancı, the Mayor of Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality accompanied the President.
In his statement to the press, President Erhürman said that works were launched early December to ease traffic congestion at the Metehan crossing by Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot contractors, and that the section undertaken by the Turkish Cypriot contractor, have been completed as of today. The President added that the Greek Cypriot contractors are expected to complete their part as soon as possible.
“LET US OPEN ALL CROSSINGS TOGETHER. . .”
President Erhürman stated: "We are talking about four new crossings along the route from Haspolat to Akıncılar, and from Kiracıköy to Eylence. We have proposals to bring this issue to the agenda, as well as additional proposals that we raised after being elected. Let us open all crossings together. The section from Kiracıköy to Eylence is not necessarily essential for Turkish Cypriots, however we take this into serious consideration. Greek Cypriots face difficulties when traveling from Kiracıköy to Larnaca, or Eylence to Nicosia, and there is a request to remedy this. We take this request seriously. We are not saying it is 'unimportant for Turkish Cypriots.' It is important for Greek Cypriots, and Turkish Cypriots will of course also use that route.”
The President continued: “Accordingly, we have proposed new measures, which I believe are highly constructive. They have also been regarded as constructive by parties other than the two sides. I am therefore awaiting approval from Greek Cypriot Leader Christodoulides so that we can simultaneously open both Haspolat and Akıncılar, whilst also easing and shortening the travel for Greek Cypriots from Kiracıköy to Eylence. This way, we send a positive message to both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots: that as two leaders, we are taking steps to make their daily lives easier and to further enhance trust, people-to-people contacts, and communication between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
PRESIDENT ERHÜRMAN REMINDS THE GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE OF ITS COMMITMENT TO ISSUE ROAD TAX AT BOSTANCI AND DERINYA CROSSINGS
President Erhürman said that, based on information from Mr. Harmancı, the municipality could also participate in the works and would continue operations in the remaining area on the Turkish side, which, once completed, would significantly ease traffic congestion.
The President recalled that during his meeting with Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides, which was also attended by María Ángela Holguín, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, it was envisaged that the personnel and number of booths on the Greek Cypriot side of the Metehan crossing would be increased to seven following the completion of the works at Metehan. He emphasised that preparations on the Turkish side were also being made to match this number.
The President said it is expected that, by the end of the month, arrangements for the issuance of road tax on the Greek Cypriot side at the Bostancı and Derinya crossings will be completed. President Erhürman also expressed his belief that, in addition to increasing the number of booths and personnel, additional crossings where road taxes are issued would also help ease traffic at Metehan.
“ONLY ONE VEHICLE CROSSING IN LEFKOŞA IS NOT SUFFICIENT, WE HAVE CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS”
President Erhürman stressed that only one vehicle crossing in Lefkoşa is insufficient, and noted that discussions are ongoing regarding a second crossing. He explained that the Turkish side has proposed a vehicle crossing at Haspolat, although no agreement has yet been reached. He added that easing traffic at the Metehan crossing has benefited both sides, and that opening an additional vehicle crossing would further ease the daily lives for everybody by facilitating movement for everyone.
President Erhürman stressed that if these two leaders cannot reach an agreement on a new vehicle crossing in Lefkoşa, it cannot be expected for the same two leaders to take meaningful steps toward a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue.
“We need to instil trust among our peoples,” President Erhürman said. “Under this framework of confidence building measures, one key element is the crossings. Taking action on these issues are crucial. Completing the works and putting new crossings into operation, and having new road tax issuing points are essential for restoring trust between the two sides.”
“PROPOSALS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR ARE UNILATERAL: NO APPROVAL FROM ME IS REQUIRED”
Responding to questions by the press regarding Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides’ proposals in the health and economic sectors, President Erhürman stated that the measures planned in the health sector are unilateral, and therefore do not require his approval.
Regarding the economic proposals, he noted that they are part of the seven-point package of proposals submitted by the Greek Cypriot leader under the Confidence Building Measures, which expands to more than ten points when sub-items are included, and relate specifically to requests concerning the Green Line Trade Regulation. President Erhürman stated that in the ten-point package presented by the Turkish side, certain practices that hinder trade from the North to the South under the Green Line Regulation were identified. President Erhürman underlined that the Turkish side requested the removal of these obstacles and the full implementation of the regulation as written.
The President further noted that, in the next meeting, the Greek Cypriot leader had raised that goods are sent from the North to the South under the Green Line Trade Regulation, but that no value-added tax (VAT) is applied to goods arriving from the South. He explained that the proposal appears to suggest that goods originating from the South should not be subject to VAT in the North, whilst VAT continues to be applied to goods sent from the North to the South.
President Erhürman emphasised that exempting tax for goods from the South would create an economic imbalance, adding that both the Green Line Trade Regulation and the not-yet-implemented Direct Trade Regulation were designed to ensure a fair balance between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot economies and to provide support to the Turkish Cypriot economy. The President underscored that implementing such a measure could place Turkish Cypriot producers at a competitive disadvantage.
He added that the Greek Cypriot side can resolve these issues through its own domestic regulations, but warned that any deviation from the logic of the regulations or the creation of unequal practices would result in an environment of unfair competition.
“WE HAVE PRESENTED NEW AND CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS ON CROSSINGS. . . WE AWAIT APPROVAL”
President Erhürman stressed the need to take concrete steps on crossings and other measures under the Confidence Building Measures framework to address the prolonged lack of trust between the two peoples. He emphasised that improving crossings is a key component of these measures, as increased people-to-people contacts, trust, and communication between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will contribute positively to the overall peace and solution process.
President Erhürman continued: “We are discussing four new crossings along the route from Haspolat to Akıncılar, and from Kiracıköy to Eylence. We have presented proposals to bring this issue to the agenda, as well as additional measures that we have proposed since taking office. I believe it is important to open all the crossings together. The section from Kiracıköy to Eylence is not essential from the Turkish Cypriot perspective, however we take this into serious consideration. Greek Cypriots face difficulties when traveling from Kiracıköy to Larnaca, or Eylence to Nicosia, and there is a request to remedy this. We take this request seriously. We are not saying it is 'unimportant for Turkish Cypriots.' It is important for Greek Cypriots, and Turkish Cypriots will of course also use that route.”