Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said on Wednesday that any unilateral measures taken by the Republic for the benefit of Turkish Cypriots are at its own volition, responding to reports that President Nikos Christodoulides intends to announce new initiatives in the health and economic sectors.

Speaking during a visit to the Ayios Dometios crossing point with ‘mayor’ Mehmet Harmanci, Erhurman said he had learned of Christodoulides’ intentions through press reports but had not yet received any formal proposal.

“Unilateral measures do not require approval. Therefore, although I do not know exactly what Mr Christodoulides intends to do in the health sector, if certain possibilities are to be provided unilaterally to Turkish Cypriots, my approval is not required,” he remarked, adding that he did not yet know the details of what was being proposed.

Referring to economic measures, Erhurman said that Christodoulides’ reported package appeared to relate to trade under the Green Line regulation.

He recalled that the Turkish Cypriot side has long called for obstacles to trade from the north to the south to be removed and for the regulation to be implemented as it stands.

He criticised proposals concerning value added tax on goods transported from the government controlled areas to the north, saying that exempting such products from VAT while it continues to be levied on locally produced goods would be unfair and would place Turkish Cypriot producers at a “competitive disadvantage”.

He argued that equal treatment should apply, with no VAT charged in either direction.

Asked about reports that he had rejected Christodoulides’ proposal, Erhurman said he could not accept measures which alter the logic of the Green Line regulation, create unequal practices, and harm local producers.

He stressed, however, that this “did not represent a rift between the two communities”, reiterating that the primary goal remains “a comprehensive solution based on the will of the people”.

During the visit, Erhurman also said that a new vehicle crossing point at Ayios Dometios will serve both communities and ease daily life.

He affirmed that construction work by Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot contractors is nearing completion and that the issue had been discussed with Christodoulides in the presence of UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin.

He added that a second vehicle crossing point is needed in Nicosia and said proposals such as Mia Milia remain on the table, awaiting a positive response.

On Tuesday, Erhurman said he has yet to receive any confidence building proposal from Christodoulides, despite reports that two unilateral measures are being prepared.

He said that if and when proposals are formally submitted, he will share them publicly.

Holguin is expected to return to Cyprus later this month, ahead of a possible enlarged meeting involving the two sides, the guarantor powers and the United Nations.