Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-12-02

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] COMMISSION - TURKISH CYPRIOTS

[02] MARCOULLIS OSCE

[01] COMMISSION - TURKISH CYPRIOTS

The position was outlined on Sunday by Themis Themistocleous, Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, invited by CNA to comment on the decision of the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus to impose a 30% tax on goods exceeding 135 euros which Turkish Cypriots purchase from the government controlled areas of the Republic.

Themistocleous clarified that ``the rules of the Green Line Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 866/2004) apply only to the crossing of goods from the northern part of Cyprus to the government-controlled areas`` and that ``any rules governing the crossing of goods in the opposite direction are unilateral rules of the Turkish Cypriot authorities and fall under their sole responsibility.``

The 135-euro rule in Article 6 of the Regulation, he added, means that persons crossing the line may introduce goods purchased in the northern part of Cyprus independent of their origin without any duties and formalities up to a value of 135 euros, provided that they have no commercial character.``

In addition, if goods purchased in the northern part of Cyprus exceed the value of 135 euros, they may cross the line if they originate in the northern part of Cyprus. Their origin needs to be proven by an accompanying document issued by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Themistocleous pointed out.

He added that the European Commission is strongly interested in the unhindered flow of persons and goods across the Green Line in Cyprus`` and that ``obstacles and restrictions to the interaction of citizens and communities in Cyprus should be eliminated.``

[02] MARCOULLIS OSCE

Addressing the 15th Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Madrid, Marcoullis said the OSCE is based upon a commitment to effective multilateralism, a concept of comprehensive security and an ambitious set of values with equal rights and responsibilities for all participating states.

In this framework, we underscore the importance of the OSCE election commitments, and recognise the valuable role of ODIHR in election observation and in assisting participating states in implementing these commitments. We are confident that the implementation by ODIHR of the improvements and recommendations contained in the Ministerial Decision on Strengthening the Effectiveness of the OSCE strengthens further its internationally acknowledged role in election observation,`` she said.

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