COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Brussels, 27.8.2008 COM(2008) 529 final
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
Annual Report on the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) 866/2004 of 29 April 2004 and the situation resulting from its application
Introduction
The Council Regulation (EC) 866/2004 of 29 April on a regime under Article 2 of Protocol 10 to the Act of Accession1 (hereafter: Green Line Regulation, GLR) has been in force since 1 May 2004. It defines the terms under which the provisions of the 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 of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control and the areas in which it does.
This report covers the period 1 May 2007 - 30 April 2008.
1. AMENDMENTS TO THE GREEN LINE REGULATION
Following a proposal made by the Commission on 10 April 2008, on 16 June 2008 the Council adopted a Regulation amending the Green Line Regulation to further facilitate trade on the island of Cyprus.2
The amending Regulation, the impact of which will be examined in next year's Green Line Report, provides for a general lifting of duties on agricultural products originating in the northern part of Cyprus when being traded across the Line. Furthermore, the total maximum value of goods contained in the personal luggage of persons crossing the Line is increased from € 135 to € 260 so as to encourage the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community. Goods up to this amount can now be introduced free of customs, excise duties and taxes across the Line into the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus. This rule does not apply to cigarettes and alcohol. Finally, the amendments regulate in a transparent way the temporary introduction of goods (for up to six months) from the northern part of Cyprus into the government-controlled areas.
2. IMPLEMENTING MEASURES
On 4 May 2007, the Commission adopted a Decision lifting prohibitions on the movement of certain animal products on the island of Cyprus under Council Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 and laying down conditions for the movement of those products. This Commission Decision determines conditions for trade in honey and fresh fish across the Line.3
On 29 September 2007, the Commission adopted a Decision on the appointment of phytosanitary experts to carry out inspections in the areas of the Republic of Cyprus not under the effective control of the Government.
1
OJ L 161, 30.4.2004, p. 128. Regulation as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 587/2008 (OJ L 163, 24.6.2008, p.1).
2
OJ L 163, 24.6.2008, p. 1. Council Regulation EC No 587/2008 of 16 June 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 on a regime under Article 2 of Protocol 10 to the Act of Accession concerning rules on goods, services and persons crossing the Green Line in Cyprus.
On 18 October 2007, the Commission adopted a Decision on the appointment of independent experts to carry out inspections and take samples to allow the movement of certain animal products across the Line in Cyprus. This Commission Decision appoints independent experts for the purpose of carrying out inspections of fishing vessels and taking honey samples in the northern part of Cyprus in order to allow trade in honey and fresh fish across the Line.4
3. CROSSING OF PERSONS
According to Art 2 of the Green Line Regulation the Republic of Cyprus “shall carry out checks on all persons crossing the line with the aim to combat illegal immigration of third country nationals and to detect and prevent any threat to public security and public policy. Such checks shall also be carried out on vehicles and objects in the possession of persons crossing the [Green] Line” whereas Art 3 states that "effective surveillance shall be carried out by the Republic of Cyprus all along the Line, in such a way as to discourage people from circumventing checks at the crossing points."
3.1. Crossing at official crossing points
The Regulation provides for a stable legal framework for the free movement of Cypriots, other EU citizens and third country nationals who cross the Line at the crossing points. According to the available data, 633,163 (last year: 788,823) Greek Cypriots crossed from the government-controlled areas to the northern part of Cyprus and 1,162,739 (last year: 1,348,215) Turkish Cypriots crossed from the northern part of Cyprus to the government-controlled areas during the reporting period.5 Monitoring of the impact of the amendment to the Republic of Cyprus Penal Code, penalising any illegal use of property (referred to in last year's Green Line Report), on the crossings of Turkish Cypriots revealed that the number of crossings has again stabilised.
On 3 April 2008, the sixth crossing point across the Line was opened at Ledra Street / Lokmaci in the centre of the old town of Nicosia. More than 106,500 people (amongst these more than 41,000 other EU citizens and third country nationals) used this crossing by the end of the month.
The number of Republic of Cyprus Police (hereafter: CYPOL) personnel working directly at the crossing points was decreased from 61 (2006) to 54 (2007), before rising again to 67 (2008).
No major incidents were reported as regards the daily crossing of people at the check points. As well as this, following agreement in one of the technical committees set up by the leaders of the two communities on 21 March 2008 (Committee on economic and commercial matters), cars rented in the northern part of Cyprus can now enter the government-controlled areas through the Line.
3.2. Illegal migration across the Green Line
The number of third country nationals crossing the Line illegally remains an area of serious concern. In the reporting period, according to the data submitted by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, the total number of detected (or apprehended) illegal immigrants more than doubled (increase from 2919 to 5844), reaching the highest level ever.
4
Commission Decision C(2007)4666 of 18 October.
5
CYPOL reported that out of these 5844, 5710 illegal immigrants entered the government-controlled areas across the Line, whereas 128 entered via the Sovereign Base Area6 and only 6 directly into the government-controlled areas. CYPOL reported also the following main countries of origin of illegal immigrants: Syria (37 %), West Bank (16 %) and Iran (9 %). A large number of third country nationals illegally entering later apply for asylum (3470 out of 5844).7
The assessment of the entry route into the government-controlled areas by CYPOL is based on:
• documents – figures from CYPOL indicate that 47 % of those illegal immigrants who are reported to have entered the government-controlled areas across the Line (2683 out of 5710) had either a Turkish or a Turkish Cypriot entry or exit stamp (33 % and 13 % respectively), a visa issued by Turkey which is also valid for the northern part of Cyprus (1%) or a 'visa' or a 'residence permit' of the 'TRNC' (0.2 %) in their passports;8
• statements by the immigrants themselves, items found in their possession which link them to the northern part of Cyprus or Turkey and presumption based on country of origin; • an additional factor was a direct ferry link between Latakia in Syria and Famagusta in the
northern part of Cyprus. According to information from Republic of Cyprus authorities, 560 illegal immigrants (mostly Palestinians from Iraq) were identified as having used this direct ferry link, thus avoiding transit through Turkey; press reports indicate also frequent interceptions of small boats carrying illegal immigrants.
According to the Republic of Cyprus authorities, the part of the Line most vulnerable to illegal migration is in the Sovereign Base Area. The SBA Police, SBA Customs and Immigration Department and UK military resources work together to combat illegal migration. The SBA Customs and Immigration Department recruited 10 new officers, the number of operational teams working at the Line was increased from 3 to 5, additional trainings in customs and training controls were carried out, various technical assets were procured and the SBA authorities continue to share intelligence and maintain a good cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot community. According to information from the latter, 4,234 third country nationals were refused entry to the northern part of Cyprus in 2007 and 1,030 in the first four months of 2008; 244 illegal immigrants were detained in 2007 and 150 in the first four months of 2008; 1,155 persons were deported (via Turkey) in 2007 and 488 in the first four months of 2008.
The Commission has maintained a constructive dialogue with the relevant authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and the Sovereign Base Area Administration at working level. Several meetings were held focusing in particular on the problem of illegal migration across the Line and offering the opportunity to discuss the measures to be taken in the near future. On this occasion, the representatives of the Republic of Cyprus updated the Commission on measures taken during the reporting period. These measures included using the staff of local Police Stations and of the Aliens and Immigration Department of the Police Headquarters9 and a helicopter10 for the surveillance of the Line.
6
Hereafter: SBA
7
See Annex VI
8
See Annexes VI and VIII
9
In total, a minimum total of 110 man hours per day were used for patrolling the Line between the crossing points (by 241 officers, including local police staff). This does not appear to be an increase compared to the last reporting period.
With regard to the surveillance of the Line, over the reporting period, the Republic of Cyprus remained reluctant to take any measure which possibly could lead to the Line taking on the appearance of an external border. No exchange of information with the Turkish Cypriot community took place.
In view of the worryingly high numbers of illegal immigrants, the Commission is of the opinion that the surveillance of the Line between the crossing points conducted by the Republic of Cyprus pursuant to Art 3 GLR and by the Sovereign Base Area Administration pursuant to Art 2 (5) GLR needs substantial strengthening. The Commission recommends that in particular the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus take concrete steps without delay in order to comply with their obligation as regards the surveillance of the Line as defined in the Green Line Regulation also in view of the future participation of Cyprus in the Schengen area. While the Green Line does not constitute an external border, the surveillance obligations of the Republic of Cyprus on the government-controlled side of the Line should be met effectively while at the same time minimising any hindrance to contacts between the two Communities.
4. CROSSING OF GOODS 4.1. Value of trade
Pursuant to Art 8 of the Commission Regulation (EC) 1480/200411, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (hereafter: TCCoC) reported on a monthly basis on the type, volume and value of goods for which it has issued accompanying documents.
The authorities of the Republic of Cyprus also communicated the type, volume and value of goods that have crossed the Line in monthly reports to the Commission. Those reports included goods that entered the government-controlled areas through the crossing points of Pergamos and Strovilia, which are under the authority of the SBA Administration.
According to reports from the TCCoC, the total value of goods for which accompanying documents were issued in the reporting period amounted to €5,471,461 whereas the value of goods actually traded was about €4,473,408.12
In comparison to the previous reporting period, figures show again an increase in the total value of goods crossing the Line. According to the reports provided by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, the total trade value of goods which actually crossed the Line increased by almost a third to €4,473,408, compared to € 3,380,805 in the previous reporting period. It should be noted, though, that trade in potatoes accounted for almost 30% of the overall trade value and is the main component of the increase in Green Line trade.13
In January 2008, goods worth more than € 700.000 crossed the Line. This was the highest level recorded since the GLR came into force. The main component was Turkish Cypriot potatoes, worth about € 350,000.
Although not covered by the scope of the GLR, it may be noted that trade from the government-controlled areas to the northern part of Cyprus amounted to a value of € 1,015,340 in the reporting period (thereof € 626,533 between February and April 2008) compared to € 1,027,688 in the previous one according to figures from the Cyprus Chamber
11
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1480/2004 of 10 August 2004, OJ L 272, 20.8.2004, p. 3.
12
See Annexes I, II and III
of Commerce and Industry. Trade from the government-controlled areas to the northern part of Cyprus therefore remained about the same and amounts to less than a quarter of the trade in the opposite direction.14
The Turkish Cypriot community applies a trade system, which, in principle, "mirrors" the restrictions of the Green Line Regulation. It, for instance, mirrors Art 6 (1) GLR in the sense that goods contained in the personal luggage of persons crossing the Line from the government-controlled areas to the northern part of Cyprus are exempt from 'turnover tax', 'excise duty' and 'other duties', provided these goods have no commercial character and their total value does not exceed € 135. This regime is not always consistently applied. In the autumn of 2007, for instance, Turkish Cypriots shopping in the government-controlled areas were facing major problems in bringing back their shopping items across the Line and Turkish Cypriot potato growers were largely banned altogether from bringing back potato seeds bought from Greek Cypriot traders.
4.2. Type of goods
The figures on the types of traded goods show a limited number of new products crossing the Line into the government-controlled areas. As in the previous reporting period, vegetables and wooden products and furniture constituted the main groups of products traded.15
Trade across the Line during the reporting period was with three exceptions solely for the purpose of intra-island trade. In May 2007, two consignments of copper and aluminium scrap crossed the Line and were subsequently shipped to the UK and at the beginning of February 2008, a small consignment of citrus fruits crossed the Line and was then flown to Germany to be exhibited at a trade fair. Following a consignment of Cyprus Delights (confectionery) in December 2005 and one of aluminium scrap in April 2007, these consignments were the only known cases where goods crossed the Line and were subsequently subject to an intra-community transaction with other Member States. However it is thought that some Turkish Cypriot potatoes, which originally were destined for consumption in Cyprus, were repacked in the government-controlled areas and sold abroad.
4.3. Irregularities
Since May 2007, ten cases of irregularities have been reported in which the goods were not allowed to cross the Line. Reasons for non-allowance included the supplier refusing to pay the relevant duties, products not according to marking requirements, vegetables found unfit for human consumption and the non-production of the obligatory accompanying documents.
Beside these irregularities directly at the Line, phytosanitary experts appointed by the Commission detected forged plant passports for potato seeds of EU origin. All potatoes grown from these potato seeds were subsequently banned from trade in order to protect European consumers.
4.4. Positive developments concerning movement of goods
During the reporting period, some positive developments need to be noted which gradually lifted some barriers which previously used to limit trade across the Line. These developments include:
• Continued 'Round Table Meetings' of the three chambers (Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CCCI, TCCoC, and Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry, CTCI).
14
Statistics on credit card expenditure suggest, though, that Turkish Cypriots spent several millions of Euro in the supermarkets and other stores in the government-controlled areas.
• The 'Cyprus Producer Network', a network of TC and GC producers, established with the aim of increasing cooperation and collaboration and providing technical assistance, training and advice to ease the constraints to Green Line trade, carried out seminars on both sides of the Line, initiated a bi-communal survey, is about to launch an interactive website and carried out business-to-business meetings in various product sectors. This project, which is funded by UNDP-ACT (US funded), also aims at improving cooperation and collaboration between the participating chambers (CTCI, TCCoC and CCCI).
• In previous reporting periods, difficulties had been encountered as far as the temporary crossing of goods was concerned. These difficulties will be overcome by the respective amendments of the GLR.16
• In the past, the Commission had received complaints from Turkish Cypriot traders regarding delays in clearing of goods crossing the Line including particularly consignments of potatoes. Following measures implemented by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, these complaints have been dealt with.
• Starting in September 2007, more than 2878 tons of potatoes, worth more than € 1,318,480, destined (only) for consumption in the government-controlled areas, successfully crossed the Line without major obstacles. The SBA Administration has found a practical arrangement with the Republic of Cyprus authorities to carry out the required phytosanitary checks. This seems to work satisfactorily.
4.5. Still existing obstacles and difficulties concerning the movement of goods
Despite these positive developments, several obstacles for trade across the Green Line continue to exist.
Turkish Cypriot commercial vehicles and in particular lorries and buses still cannot move freely through the island. The Republic of Cyprus does not accept roadworthiness certificates of commercial vehicles17 or professional driving licenses18 issued by the Turkish Cypriot community (although it does accept roadworthiness certificates for passenger cars). The Government had proposed legislation aiming at facilitating TC lorries to transport goods across the Line by reducing limitations on TC professional driving licences. Neither in the previous nor in the present legislative term, Parliament had taken a decision on the issue (although still pending) after protests from the Greek Cypriot truck driver organisation. Whereas on the issue of roadworthiness certificates the Government proposed to empower a Turkish Cypriot NGO (KAR-IS) to issue these certificates on its behalf. This proposal was not taken up by the Turkish Cypriot community. Neither was a separate proposal by the Government (in cooperation with CCCI) to assist Turkish Cypriot lorry and bus drivers in obtaining the normal roadworthiness certificates. More flexibility on both sides would enhance economic co-operation between both communities across the Line.
Turkish Cypriot traders continued to report difficulties in stocking supermarkets and advertising their products and services in the press in the government-controlled areas. In this context it needs to be noted that Turkish Cypriot participation in Cyprus' International Trade Fair has been steadily decreasing, from 53 Turkish Cypriot traders in 2005, 16 in 2006 to only 3 last year. This year there was no Turkish Cypriot participation at all.
16
See section 2. above
17
Of all Turkish Cypriot lorries with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3.5 tons
Finally, smuggling of goods across the Line remains widespread. Several informal "crossing points" in or near the village of Pergamos (located partly in the SBA and partly in the northern part of Cyprus) used by local residents and farmers as well as the traditional supply (Art 4 (10) GLR) of the Turkish Cypriot population of the village of Pyla (located in the Buffer Zone) are particularly difficult to control. The problem of smuggling of goods underlines the need for an effective surveillance of the Line by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and for strict supervision by the Sovereign Base Area Administration of the nature and quantity of the goods supplied to the Turkish Cypriot population of Pyla.
4.6. Facilitation of trade
The following measures have been taken to facilitate trade in certain products:
Potatoes
In January 2008, the Commission organised together with the TCCoC a seminar aiming to raise awareness amongst the Turkish Cypriot traders for the potato registration required for Green Line trade.
Potatoes are not subject to tariffs but each lorry needs to be accompanied by a Report of Phytosanitary Inspection, issued by independent phytosanitary experts in accordance with Annex III of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1480/200419. In order to facilitate potato trade across the Line, the Commission ensured the permanent presence of these experts during the main harvest season (mid April until mid June). During other periods, their availability was guaranteed within a few working days (up to now, all of Turkish Cypriot requests for the presence of a phytosanitary expert were fulfilled).
The Commission has appointed additional independent phytosanitary experts in light of the recent demand for their services.
Citrus fruits
A small consignment of citrus fruits crossed the Line in early February 2008 to be exhibited in Germany. The annual pre-harvest inspection in autumn 2007, again carried out by independent Member States' experts appointed by the Commission, confirmed the positive results of previous checks.
Honey and fish
As reported above, on 4 May 2007, the Commission adopted a Decision lifting prohibitions on the movement of certain animal products on the island of Cyprus under Council Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 and laying down conditions for the movement of fresh fish and honey across the Green Line.20
The Commission appointed independent experts from Member States who, in accordance with Annexes I and II of the Commission Decision, inspected Turkish Cypriot fishing vessels from and collected samples of honey in the production chain for subsequent analyses in specific EU laboratories.
5. CONCLUSIONS
The Green Line Regulation continues to provide a stable legal framework for the free movement of Cypriots and other EU citizens who cross the line at the crossing points. The
19
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1480/2004 of 10 August 2004, OJ L 272, 20.8.2004, p. 3.
opening of a new pedestrian crossing point at Ledra Street/Lokmaci in the old town of Nicosia further facilitates people-to-people contacts between the two communities.
However, the number of third country nationals crossing the Line illegally remains an area of serious concern. In the reporting period, the total number of detected (or apprehended) illegal immigrants doubled, reaching the highest level ever. The Commission is of the opinion that the surveillance of the Line between the crossing points conducted by the Republic of Cyprus and the Sovereign Base Area Administration needs substantial strengthening without delay. However, the Republic of Cyprus remains reluctant to take any measure which possibly could lead to the Line taking on the appearance of an external border.
As regards goods crossing the Green Line, in comparison to the previous reporting period, reported figures show again an increase in the total value of goods crossing the Line. According to the reports provided by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, the total trade value of goods which actually crossed the Line increased by almost a third and was about €4,473,408, compared to € 3,380,805 in the previous reporting period. It should be noted, though, that almost 30 % accounted for trade in potatoes.
The overall scale of Green Line trade still remains rather limited, not least due to the restricted scope of the Regulation. In the current reporting period very few new products were introduced. Only in three cases, goods crossed the Line and were subsequently subject to an intra-community transaction with another Member State.
Tangible positive developments have taken place concerning the movement of goods. However, several reported cases confirm that there are still many obstacles to the further development of Green Line trade. Turkish Cypriot commercial vehicles and in particular lorries and buses still cannot move freely across the island since compromise solutions have been either rejected or delayed by one or the other community. In addition, Turkish Cypriot traders continued to report difficulties in stocking supermarkets and advertising their products and services in the press in the government-controlled areas. Finally, it appears that smuggling of goods across the Line remains widespread.
The Commission has carried out various measures aiming at facilitating trade across the Line, particularly trade in potatoes, citrus fruits and honey and fish.
Technical Annexes
Annex I Overview table summarising the monthly reports of the Turkish Cypriot
Chamber of Commerce according to Article 8 of Commission Regulation 1480/2004 (EUR)
1 EUR = 0,58 CYP
Traded Products
May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Total
Aluminium/ PVC Products
14 336 5 381 7 374 6 910 21 438 23 704 8 655 3 530 18 058 11 150 6 660 20 544 147 740
Building/ Articles of Stone
85 571 82 755 60 640 26 128 25 540 38 553 46 103 17 447 20 931 24 178 37 241 178 418 643 505
Ceramic products/refra ctory goods
0 0 0 0 0 1 897 16 552 0 0 0 300 3 175 21 924
Chemical Products
26 110 34 362 38 357 8 583 29 670 21 949 27 012 19 452 17 669 37 637 22 935 31 807 315 543
Clothing 0 2 100 3 417 621 0 0 0 1 086 1 287 945 459 0 9 915
Cut flowers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 000 0 4 000
Electronic Equipment
0 0 0 0 0 1 138 1 448 0 0 1 252 0 0 3 838
Glass and glassware
86 0 621 0 1 617 5 542 3 654 1 496 2 963 3 151 4 546 2 448 26 124
Handicraft products
7 582 1 062 2 493 4 871 5 195 3 893 1 974 719 752 887 672 2 384 32 484
Iron/Steel 2 014 0 2 969 7 807 0 2 984 790 2 711 4 898 6 813 10 404 11 123 52 513
Paper Products
12 275 17 274 20 753 14 888 10 178 12 871 7 112 14 033 0 9 800 2 400 4 800 126 384
Plastic Products
34 931 43 431 40 315 32 347 32 056 32 090 38 195 18 936 31 432 48 944 33 087 160 815 546 579
Pre-fabricated buildings
0 0 0 0 0 31 897 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 897
Raw metal 56 603 64 079 38 655 72 026 30 536 56 328 26 431 21 793 39 200 39 518 45 350 57 227 547 746
Saddlery and Harness
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 469 0 0 0 2 469
Sanitation Systems
2 695 0 0 3 781 0 0 3 005 0 217 0 0 0 9 698
Vegetables 2 364 27 582 93 034 160 126 213 507 163 548 326 091 268 816 576 758 195 622 102 798 67 780 2 198 026
Water Storage/heati ng
0 0 0 2 409 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 409
Wooden products/ furniture
60 541 87 629 76 267 38 578 57 530 54 980 67 290 52 351 54 004 76 908 47 963 74 630 748 671
Annex II: Value of goods crossing the Green Line reported by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus (May 2007-April 2008)
May € 282 841
June € 337 552
July € 319 597
August € 260 756
September € 325 148
October € 360 569
November € 521 534
December € 309 162
January € 706 343
February € 372 135
March € 300 906
April € 376 866
Total € 4 473 409
ANNEX III: Values of goods which crossed the Green Line and value of goods for which accompanying documents were issued by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce
0 100000 200000 300000 400000 500000 600000 700000 800000 900000
Ma y
June Ju ly
Augu st
Sep tem
ber Oct
obe r
Nove mber
Dece mber
January February Ma rch April
Month
V
a
lu
e o
f
tr
a
d
e (EUR) Value of trade of goods which crossed the Green
Line
Annex IV: Most traded goods as reported by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce
Vegetables 40%
Wooden products/furniture 14%
Building/articles of stone 12% Raw metal
10% Plastic products
10%
Other 14%
Vegetables 2 198 026
Wooden products/furniture 748 671
Building/articles of stone 643 505
Raw metal 547 746
Plastic products 546 579
Other: 786 938
ANNEX V: Development of most traded goods
Development of trade of goods with highest trade value
0 100000 200000 300000 400000 500000 600000 700000
May June Ju ly
August Sept
embe r
Octo ber
Nov ember
Dec embe
r
Janu ary
Febru ary
March Ap ril
Month
Val
u
e (
E
UR
) Vegetables
Wooden products/furniture Building/articles of stone Raw metal
ANNEX VI: ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION STATISTICAL DATA FOR THE PERIOD 01/05/2007- 30/04/2008
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
from the northern part of Cyprus via the Green Line
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS directly entering the
government-controlled areas (and not via the Green Line)
MONTH /YEAR
DID NOT APPLY FOR ASYLUM
(1)
APPLIED FOR ASYLUM
(2)
VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE
(3)
DID NOT APPLY FOR ASYLUM
(4)
APPLIED FOR ASYLUM
(5)
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Intercepted by SBA police in the Sovereign Base Area
(6)
Μay 2007 48 215 124 1 0 3
June 2007 44 212 123 2 0 2
July 2007 47 270 161 0 0 0
August 2007 31 274 198 0 0 0
September 2007 33 346 143 0 0 0
October 2007 40 566 129 0 0 0
November 2007 88 333 94 1 0 0
December 2007 151 407 153 0 0 22
January 2008 49 231 88 2 0 44
February 2008 40 184 60 0 0 4
March 2008 118 246 123 0 0 47
April 2008 42 186 113 0 0 6
TOTAL 731 3470 1509 6 0 128
TOTAL 5710 6 128
GRAND
TOTAL
5844
The above figures include clandestine arrivals from previous years, especially as regards the statistics for voluntary departure. For the 2007-2008 Report, this category is new and additional and is part of the now more complete methodology used to estimate the total illegal immigrants.
Annex VII
Movement of persons and vehicles across the crossing points under the
authority of the Republic of Cyprus
1as per Council Regulation no.866/04
of 29.4.04 (01/05/2007 - 30/4/2008)
Movement of persons
Movement of vehicles
Month
Greek Cypriots
Turkish
Cypriots Total
Greek Cypriots
Turkish
Cypriots Total
05 / 2007 60721 90980 151701 60962 63049 124011
06 / 2007 53333 94802 148135 43846 51508 95354
07 / 2007 51265 92799 144064 55790 59192 114982
08 / 2007 64967 84913 149880 56678 58577 115255
09 / 2007 52682 96161 148843 50985 65184 116169
10 / 2007 47621 103276 150897 46110 66848 112958
11 / 2007 40834 90814 131648 22902 42052 64954
12 / 2007 46695 101499 148194 21856 40795 62651
01 / 2008 39496 91099 130595 20157 41648 61805
02 / 2008 35468 103545 139013 13086 38495 51581
03 / 2008 43883 101294 145177 15238 38624 53862
04 / 2008 96198 111557 207755 19380 37020 56400
TOTAL
633163
1162739
1795902
426990
602992
1029982
Source of data: Republic of Cyprus, Police Headquarters
1
COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN OF APPREHENDED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAD A VISA OR STAMP IN THEIR PASSPORT
FROM TURKEY OR THE TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY
(Data covers the period June 2007 – April 2008, Source of data: RoC, Police Aliens & Immigration Department)
NATIONALITY
ENTRY/ EXIT STAMPS
from Turkey from the Turkish Cypriot ENTRY/ EXIT STAMPS community
VISA ISSUED by Turkey, valid also for the
northern part of Cyprus
(place of issue)
VISA /RESIDENCE PERMIT issued for the northern part of
Cyprus
SYRIA 946 133 8
(Syria)
0
IRAN 194 108 0 1
GEORGIA 229 86 1
(Lebanon)
0
IRAQ 34 23 4
(Syria)
0
UZBEKISTAN 49 27 0 0
PAKISTAN 103 101 28
(Pakistan)
6
INDIA 42 45 2
(India)
0
CAMEROON 5 3 0 0
JORDAN 59 35 0 0
EGYPT 13 5 0 0
RUSSIA 16 13 0 0
BANGLADESH 16 25 10
(Bangladesh)
1
SRI-LANKA 21 7 1
(India)
0
NIGERIA 6 19 0 0
CHINA 6 22 0 0
UKRAINE 21 19 0 0
REP. DOMINICAN 2 2 0 0
KENYA 0 0 0 0
NATIONALITY
ENTRY/ EXIT STAMPS
from Turkey from the Turkish Cypriot ENTRY/ EXIT STAMPS community
VISA ISSUED by Turkey, valid also for the
northern part of Cyprus
(place of issue)
VISA /RESIDENCE PERMIT issued for the northern part of
Cyprus
(Lebanon)
VIETNAM 1 6 0 0
SENEGAL 0 0 0 0
TURKEY 6 7 0 1
AFGHANISTAN 4 0 0 0
MOROCCO 11 6 0 0
TUNISIA 13 12 0 0
ARMENIA 4 6 0 1
NEPAL 0 2 1
(India)
0
MONGOLIA 3 2 0 0
MOLDOVA 11 10 0 0
PALESTINE 4 3 1
(Israel)
0
KOREA 1 1 0 0
GANA 2 9 0 0
KYRGYZSTAN 5 0 0 0
BELARUS 1 1 0 0
KAZAKHSTAN 2 0 0 0
YUGOSLAVIA 2 0 0 0
ALGERIA 2 1 0 0
ALBANIA 1 0 0 0
INDONESIA 9 0 0 0
ZIMBABWE 1 0 0 0
ARGENTINA 1 0 0 0
COMORES 0 1 0 0
TOTAL 1858 755 60 10
