Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay has announced plans to remove customs duty applied to goods sent to Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the TRNC by the Greek Cypriot administration.
The Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that the TRNC Government is taking steps to remove the customs duty in an interview with Turkish News Agency and BRT.
Özersay stated that the aid sent through the United Nations would be checked for quantity and quality.
He added that brochures will be handed out, alongside stickers and labelling on the products in several languages, making clear that the sale of these goods is prohibited.
Minister Özersay added “We have explained before that we will implement a civilized, modern approach on this issue. We do not want the Greek Cypriots and Maronite minority living in the North to be made the subjects of political exploitation.”
Stating that the Greek Cypriot leadership has always exploited this issue, Özersay said: “I hope the Greek Cypriot side will stop politicising the issue of minorities in the future, in response to the measures we have taken that demonstrate our goodwill.”