North Cyprus
Cyprus
The U.S. Government also maintains an office in the north at 6 Serif Arzik Street, Koskluciftlik, Nicosia. When calling from the U.S., dial 011 (357) (22) 669-965 or fax to 011 (357) (22) 679 014. When calling within north Cyprus dial (22) 73 930 or fax to (22) 78 514. ... Road safety conditions in the north are similar to conditions in the south, except that the road network is less developed. Insurance purchased in the Republic of Cyprus is not valid in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, but it may be purchased near the U.N. "Buffer Zone" checkpoints. Emergency assistance is available by calling 155. For specific information concerning Cyprus driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Cyprus national tourist organization offices in New York via the Internet at http://www.cyprustourism.org. ... [Read More]
Cyprus (07/05)
The partial lifting of travel restrictions between the two parts of the island in April 2003 has allowed movement of persons--almost seven million crossings to date--between the two parts of the island with no significant interethnic incidents. In August 2004, new EU rules allowed goods produced in the north to be sold in the south provided they met EU rule of origin and sanitary/phyto-sanitary requirements. In May 2005, the Turkish Cypriot "authorities" adopted a new regulation "mirroring" the EU rules and allowing certain goods produced in the south to be sold in the north. Suppliers of imported products in the government-controlled area cannot directly serve the Turkish Cypriot market and vice versa. Despite these efforts, direct trade between the two communities remains very limited. ... [Read More]
Cyprus
The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. The basic law in the Turkish Cypriot community also provides for freedom of religion, and the Turkish Cypriot authorities generally respect this right in practice. However, the politically divisive environment on Cyprus occasionally affected aspects of religious freedom. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report, and government policy continued to contribute to the generally free practice of religion. [Read More]
Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot authorities have announced the easing of restrictions on the 428 Greek Cypriots and 167 Maronites living in the north. Turkish Cypriot authorities usually grant the applications of Greek Cypriot residents in the north to visit the government-controlled area. Visits to the south are limited to a total of 6 months per year. The applicants must return within the designated period or risk losing their right to return and to keep their property, although this rule rarely is enforced in practice. Overnight stays also are limited to a "reasonable period" (said period to be determined by Turkish Cypriot authorities), with extensions possible. However, there were reports during the year that Turkish Cypriot authorities prevented family relatives from extending their stays in the north. There were also reports that Turkish Cypriot authorities prevented unlimited travel to the north by family relatives. Greek Cypriots visiting from the sou ... [Read More]
U.S. Weapons in North Cyprus (Taken Question)
Question: Any reaction to the legality of Turkish troops in Northern Cyprus displaying American weaponry at a recent military parade there? ... U.S. Weapons in North Cyprus ... Answer: The presence of these U.S.-origin weapons in North Cyprus under command and control of the Turkish Army does not raise questions under the laws of the United States. ... [Read More]
American Business Delegation to North Cyprus (Taken Question)
Answer: The delegation met with Turkish Cypriot business representatives to explore potential opportunities there. This is consistent with our goal of easing the economic isolation of the north and promoting its economic development by expanding business contacts on and off the island. ... American Business Delegation to North Cyprus ... [Read More]
Foreign Purchases of Property in North Cyprus (Taken Question)
Foreign Purchases of Property in North Cyprus ... [Read More]
Cyprus
Constitutional or other legal mechanisms prohibit discrimination in both communities. The 1975 Vienna III Agreement remains the legal source of authority regarding the treatment of Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the north and Turkish Cypriots living in the south. The agreement provides for the voluntary transfer of populations, free and unhindered access by the UNFICYP to Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the north and Turkish Cypriots living in the south, and facilities for education, medical care, and freedom of religion. In practice, noncompliance with some of the provisions of the Vienna III Agreement by Turkish Cypriot authorities made daily life difficult for Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the north. At year's end, there were 403 Greek Cypriots and 140 Maronites resident in the north. ... [Read More]
Cyprus
Restrictions at times were imposed on the ability of journalists to cross the buffer zone to cover news events. The Government denied entry to the south to visiting Turkish journalists who arrived in Cyprus through ports of entry in the north. In retaliation Turkish Cypriot authorities at times required Greek Cypriot journalists to purchase a "visa" to enter the north, which the journalists refused to do. Turkish Cypriot policy, while applied inconsistently, was to permit Greek Cypriot journalists traveling as a group to cover events in the north without paying a "visa" fee, but not to allow individual Greek journalists entry unless they paid the fee. Greek Cypriot journalists covering certain events in the north also were asked to wear identification issued by Turkish Cypriot authorities and bearing the flag of the self-proclaimed "TRNC." In response Greek Cypriot journalists chose not to travel north to cover these events. ... [Read More]
2004 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Cyprus
For part of the year, the Government did not permit foreigners who had entered the country via ports in north Cyprus to cross into the government controlled area. On June 3, the Government revised its policy regarding green line crossings to allow EU citizens and citizens of other countries not subject to a visa requirement entering Cyprus from ports in north Cyprus to cross the green line into the government controlled areas. However, the Government continued to block any effort by Turkish Cypriot authorities or international parties to open Ercan Airport or any port in north Cyprus for travel to destinations other than Turkey. ... [Read More]
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