Lakadamyalı: “Charitable aid and donations are sold in the market or given to relatives”

The TRNC Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Mustafa Lakadamyalı has stated today that the Ministry has received evidence that aid donations which are sent to the Greek Cypriots and the Maronites living in the North are being openly sold in the market or given to relatives.

Lakadamyalı said that the items will be made subject to customs duty procedures if the supply is continued after 1 October 2017. However, he made clear that those who are in genuine need of aid will continue to receive full support by the relevant institutions.

According to a number of sources and reliable documentation, the aid is loaded on UN trucks in the Greek Cypriot side and distributed in the village square, Lakadamyalı said, adding: “Bottled gas, fuel oil and as well as agriculture stuff are supplied, but this is forbidden according to the legislation. The trucks come in without checks and controls”.

The aid has been rendered since 1975 as part of the Protocol on Population Exchange Agreement. However, Lakadamyalı added, “The agreement set out that the UN could visit the Greek Cypriots and the Maronites at any time. There was no content related to materials for consumption. This agreement was devised and implemented during extraordinary circumstances and war at that time. However, these circumstances no longer apply given that the borders opened in 2003. “

In addition, Lakadamyalı added that Greek Cypriots living in Karpaz and engaged in agriculture-animal husbandry benefit from the same support as Turkish Cypriot citizens.