TRNC may start selling halloumi in the south through the "green line" in 2024

In 2024, Northern Cyprus may begin selling its locally produced halloumi cheese through the "green line" to the south. According to Cypriot-Greek media reports, this statement was made by Deputy Director-General of the European Commission and Head of the Cyprus Decision Support Department, Kjartan Bjornsson, during a meeting in Brussels. During the press conference, the official made a series of statements regarding the regulation of the Green Line, halloumi exports, and the development of bicommunal initiatives.

Specifically, Kjartan Bjornsson stated that the Commission's goal is to start the export of halloumi produced by Turkish Cypriots under the "Protected Designation of Origin" (PDO) patent, through Southern Cyprus, in accordance with the "green line" rules by June 2024.

He also noted that the successful adoption of EU sanitary criteria by the Turkish Cypriot community would contribute to resolving the Cyprus problem. Furthermore, an increase in the number of mutual border crossings, the development of trade, and the sale of halloumi would serve as particularly encouraging signals.

According to Kjartan Bjornsson, in 2022, the number of mutual border crossings reached 5.8 million, and trade under the "Green Line" Regulation reached a record level of 14.6 million euros.

Recall that it was previously reported that the number of border crossings by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots has increased compared to the previous year in Cyprus.