Fifteenth report on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 and the situation resulting from its application covering the period 1 January until 31 December 2018

Summary:

Report presented on 5 July 2019 by the European Commission on the movement of people, goods and services between the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus.

Further information:

Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 on a regime under Article 2 of Protocol No 10 to the Act of Accession (the Green Line Regulation or GLR) entered into force on 1 May 2004. It defines the terms under which provisions of EU law apply to the movement of persons, goods and services across the line between the areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the government does not exercise effective control and the areas in which it does.

The Regulation provides a stable legal framework for the crossings of Cypriots, other EU citizens and third country nationals who cross the Green Line at authorised crossing points. There was an increase in the number of Greek Cypriots and a decrease in the number of Turkish Cypriots crossing in 2018 compared to previous years.

The number of persons irregularly crossing the Line increased substantially; the matter is a rising concern for the Republic of Cyprus and the situation needs to be monitored carefully.  The Commission continues to consider that stability, predictability and legal certainty of the requirements at the crossing points, and the free movement of EU citizens are of paramount importance.

EUR-Lex: SWD(2019)290: Commission Staff Working Document accompanying COM(2019)323 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2019:290:FIN

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