We totally agree with the European Commission's statement on Monday, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said commenting on the criticism regarding the supply of fuel from the Turkish occupied territories of Cyprus and the intention to impose a fine.
Replying to questions by journalists, the President noted that there is an EU Regulation on the issue, adding that the Republic of Cyprus agrees with it and applies it.
"I agree with the position of the European Commission. Look at what it says. For occasional use. Otherwise it becomes commercial, creates unfair competition and many other problems," he said.
If there are complaints, he added, then they should be investigated.
"When some people try to use it for commercial purposes, they go beyond the framework of the Regulation and should be checked", he said, adding that he totally agrees with the European Commission's statement made on Monday.
Commission spokesperson Stefan de Keersmaecker told the Cyprus News Agency that fuel is among those goods that can pass through the Green Line, given that it is for personal use, does not exceed 260 euros in value, and is contained either in the vehicle's petrol tank or in a portable container not bigger than ten litres.
The spokesperson was responding to a question on what exactly is stipulated by the Green Line Regulation, given checks that are being conducted by the government of the Republic of Cyprus at the checkpoints from the occupied areas.
Referring to the Green Line Regulation, De Keersmaecker said that it stipulates that 'goods which are contained in the personal luggage of persons that are crossing the Green Line are exempt from turnover tax and excise duty, but also from other duties if they have no commercial character and if their total value doesn't exceed 260 euros per person'.
He added that goods 'are regarded as being of a non-commercial character if their purchase takes place occasionally and they consist exclusively of goods for personal or family use of the travellers'.
'The nature or quantity of the goods must not be such as to indicate that they are being imported for commercial reasons' he continued.
Fuel, the spokesperson, pointed out, 'is considered to fall within this definition, of course provided it is contained in a standard vehicle petrol tank or is contained in a portable container and doesn't exceed ten litres'.
Source: Cyprus News Agency