Cypriot Chambers of Commerce meet with UN over Green Line regulations

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) on Wednesday that it participated in a trilateral meeting on May 23, 2023, alongside the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus, Colin Stewart.

According to the announcement, the main topic of discussion was the reinforcement of Green Line regulations, among other matters.

During the meeting, issues related to economic and trade relations between the two communities were addressed as a means to sustain prospects for a future resolution.

“The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (TCCC), as representative organizations of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot businesses, understand that the development of economic relations and trade will contribute to strengthening trust between the two communities,” the announcement stated.

Moreover, the meeting highlighted the significance of fostering economic cooperation as a pathway to enhancing dialogue and building a foundation for future collaboration.

The presidents of the CCCI and TCCC emphasized the pivotal role that businesses can play in promoting understanding and paving the way for a mutually beneficial relationship.

By prioritizing economic and commercial ties, the CCCI and TCCC aim to foster an environment that encourages trust, cooperation, and increased economic opportunities.

The engagement of key stakeholders, including the UN Special Representative, underscores the importance of sustained efforts to facilitate economic cooperation, which can serve as a catalyst for broader reconciliation and peaceful coexistence in Cyprus.

Earlier this month, on May 12, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its Turkish Cypriot counterpart released a statement of support for all efforts aimed at the bilateral improvement of Green Line trade.

The two chambers explained at the time that they were pleased to share their commitment to maintaining lasting cooperation regarding the implementation of Green Line trade, which first began in 2004, and sought to utilise every opportunity to improve such cooperation.

Especially in 2022, the two chambers noted, commercial trade across the Green Line naked a significant increase.

“As the most representative business institutions of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, we are aware that the improvement and development of relations between the two communities can be further enhanced through the increase of economic relations and trade,” Keve and KTTO said in a statement.

“Hence, both parties appreciate the contribution of increased Green Line trade to the improvement of dialogue, relations and cooperation between them but also to the efforts for a viable solution to the Cyprus problem,” the statement added.

Moreover, the two chambers declared “their consensus and commitment to continue their support in eliminating bilateral bureaucratic challenges related to Green Line trade in order to promote further convergence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots”.

Finally, the two chambers explained that the provision of more benefits to stakeholders from both communities will help to strengthen confidence between them, something which they described as “an essential requirement for the solution of the Cyprus problem”.