Free Movement Of Turkish And Greek Cypriots Continues
Anadolu Agency: 4/24/2003
LEFKOSA - The free movement of persons between TRNC and Greek Cypriot side, which started after 29 years continues in line with the decision taken by the TRNC Council of Ministers.
The number of persons who want to pass the other side from Ledra Palace Border Gate in Lefkosa is higher on Thursday when compared to Wednesday. Greek Cypriots generally prefer to pass TRNC with their cars.
U.N. Peace Keeping Forces help in ensuring the order in passages of cars in the buffer zone.
Turkish Cypriots can't pass the Greek Cypriot side with their cars as the Greek Cypriot side does not recognize the license plates and car insurance given by TRNC. Therefore, Turkish Cypriots who want to tour the Greek Cypriot side get taxis.
Besides the Greek Cypriot administration does not permit the passages of those who came to the island from Turkey, who settled in TRNC and who became TRNC citizens.
TRNC officials seal a separate document, rather than sealing the passports of Greek Cypriots who want to pass TRNC.
Turkish and Greek Cypriots who passed the other side yesterday generally tried to visit the places where they used to live and meet with their old friends.
A total of 3268 Turkish Cypriots passed to the Greek Cypriot side and 1475 Greek Cypriots passed to TRNC yesterday and 326 of the latter entered TRNC with their cars.
U.N. Secretary General's Deputy Special Representative Zbigniew Wlosowicz said that he was pleased with the reciprocal passages of Turkish and Greek Cypriots. Noting that the beginning of such free passages was very important, Wlosowicz said that ''Cypriots could not move freely on the island for years. We hope that better things would follow that and that it would contribute to the compromise on the island.''
Wlosowicz said that U.N. did its best to facilitate the free movement of the people along the Green Line.
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