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20 May 2003
Source: Cyprus Mail
Author: George Psyllides
Cyprus hails Turkish travel move
THE
GOVERNMENT yesterday hailed Turkey’s lifting of the ban on Greek
Cypriots visiting the country, but said it was nothing less than Turkey
had to do to meet its international and especially EU obligations.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday that
Turkey would allow Greek Cypriots free access to visit the country, and
that anyone travelling from Cyprus could go through the occupied north.
Cypriots could, however, also fly via Greece to avoid travelling through
an illegal port of entry.
“Starting May 22, Greek Cypriot citizens can enter Turkey without
visas,” Erdogan said in a speech in Antalya. “Turkey’s doors are open to
Greek Cypriots... for the first time in 40 years.”
Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said yesterday the
announcement was “a step by Turkey to comply with international
legality”.
“Each measure bringing Turkey back to international legality is
good,” the spokesman said.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement yesterday that
Greek Cypriots visiting Turkey would be given automatic one-month
tourist visas.
The visas would be available for free if obtained in advance at the
Turkish chief consulate in Athens-Piraeus, the statement said. Greek
Cypriots living outside Cyprus could obtain the visas at the relevant
Turkish embassy. They could also be obtained at Turkish ports of entry
at a cost of 10 euros.
Chrysostomides yesterday warned Greek Cypriots it would be illegal
for them to get the visa from the Turkish embassy in occupied Nicosia -
though the Turkish foreign ministry statement made no mention of the
embassy, saying Greek Cypriots ought to pick up their visas in Athens or
on arrival.
Chrysostomides added the move meant Ankara was indirectly
recognising passports issued by the Republic of Cyprus.
Turkey is the only country that recognises the Turkish Cypriot
breakaway state and does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, a
position that complicates its EU accession bid with the Republic set to
join the bloc next May.
Chrysostomides pointed out Cyprus had always allowed Turkish
nationals on its territory.
“Erdogan’s declarations are the lifting of a restriction imposed by
Turkey in the past, but there is a compliance with international
legality,” Chrysostomides said.
He added: “It is not a measure hailed as a good will measure or a
confidence-building measure.”
Chrysostomides warned Greek Cypriots they were not allowed to use
illegal points of entry at ports or airports in the north.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said yesterday Greek Cypriot private
yachts would be allowed to visit Turkish ports, but only if they sailed
from ports in the occupied areas. Turkey also said at the weekend that
Greek Cypriots would be free to travel direct to Turkey from the
occupied area’s airport, instead of taking the round trip via Athens.
President Tassos Papadopoulos on Sunday said Erdogan’s declarations
were an empty gesture of no significance. Papadopoulos said the move
was designed to impress but was of no significance whatsoever.
Erdogan on Saturday appealed to Athens to reciprocate by allowing
Turkish Cypriots unrestricted access to Greece. “Right now, we expect
Greece to take the same steps for Turkish Cypriots,” Erdogan said.
Greece - like the rest of the world - does not recognise travel
documents issued by the authorities in the north."
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