There has been no change” when it comes to crossing points, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday.
He was asked to comment on reports before attending the World Conference of Overseas Cypriots, in Nicosia.
The police also commented earlier, saying that the procedure at the checkpoints has not changed. Crossings from the island’s North to South Cyprus continue as normal, Police Press Office confirmed.
The only thing that has changed, is the recording of additional details of individuals who present “identity cards” issued by the Northern Cyprus authorities, when crossing, it was added.
Several reports in the Turkish Cypriot press appeared, saying that new rules applied when crossing to South Cyprus and that IDs issued by the Northern Cyprus authorities were no longer allowed.
A new statement from the police, in reply to reports, said they were not true and that crossings continued uninterrupted, “ensuring the smooth implementation of the right to free movement of all Cypriots, European citizens and legal residents.”
“The Cyprus Police carries out, for public security purposes, the necessary checks, without exceptions, in accordance with national legislation and the provisions of the Green Line Regulation,” the police added.
According to sources there is no change in the policy regarding crossing points and that any delays may be due to an upgrade in IT systems and the necessary update of data for Turkish Cypriots and members of their families.
According to the same sources, there has been an upgrade in the Civil Registry and Migration Department systems, were crossings of Turkish Cypriots and of their family members are listed.
In view of this upgrade, data contained in the systems are being updated and when missing data are found or when listed data contain errors, more details are required to complement or correct them, they said, noting that this is carried out once.
( Source: CNA)
