Under the title “Technical work for the TRNC’s passing to European Union’s monetary unit Euro has started”, Turkish NTV news channel (13.10.15) broadcast that within the framework of the preparations for a possible solution to be reached in Cyprus, European Union experts will come to the island and start working with Turkish Cypriot “officials”. Simultaneously to the efforts for adopting the Euro, the customs union process will also be carried out, notes NTV adding that within this framework the harmonization of the breakaway regime’s “customs’ laws” with the EU is aimed.
Noting that the harmonization of the Turkish Cypriots will be materialized after the solution, NTV’s correspondent Selim Sayari says that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci told him that during the leaders’ meeting the day before yesterday they decided the establishment of a technical committee which will be carrying out the economic harmonization work.
Akinci said that by bringing experts from the EU the aim is the completion of the Turkish Cypriots’ preparations for passing to Euro as soon as possible. He noted that the preparations aimed at the solution and added that the procedure of the one year long period for Turkish Cypriots passing to the Euro will begin after the agreement is approved in the referendum and within that period the Turkish lira will be in force.
Pointing out that adopting the Euro, the customs union and other harmonization preparations are issues which could be left for the period after a “yes” vote comes out in the referendum, Akinci said: “This is a process. Passing to the Euro and the customs union will constitute the first stage. Afterwards harmonization with the EU in the health, environment and other issues will come to the agenda”.
Akinci stated that the issue of passing from the Turkish lira to the Euro will be carried out in consultation with Turkey and added that the aim is the amendment of the customs legislation without delay and the abolishment of the Green Line.
Noting that during his contacts in Brussels and New York the issues of passing to the Euro and the customs union came onto the agenda, Akinci said that the EU officials have promised to intensify their efforts and added that during the leaders’ meeting yesterday they agreed with the Greek Cypriot side on the issue of the establishment of an ad hoc committee.
Meanwhile, citing information acquired by EU Commission officials, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.10.15) reports that the work of the above-mentioned ad hoc committee is expected to begin by the end of October and regular meetings in the direction of institutionalizing the Commission’s support to the preparations for the reunification of Cyprus will be carried out.
The Turkish Cypriots start technical work to adopt the Euro
