Intra-island trade between the northern and southern regions of Cyprus began on Monday after three decades, following the entry into force of EU rules on the issue adopted by the European Commission in July, and published in the EU's Official Journal last week.
The new measures are designed to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and speed the reunification of Cyprus by facilitating trade from the northern part of the island and strengthening its economic integration through financial assistance.
The next steps in the EU package are the provision of a financial aid package to the Turkish Cypriot side worth 259 million euros, and the establishment of direct trade between EU member states and Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus.
However, the Greek Cypriot authorities have pledged to fight the latter move tooth and nail, arguing that it represents a political move, and threatening to take their case before the European Court of Justice if it cannot dissuade the EU from bypassing the legally recognised authority of the Greek Cypriot government.
