**Cyprus Green Line Crossings Increase in 2023, European Commission Reports**
The European Commission has reported a notable increase in crossings along the Green Line in Cyprus for the year 2023, as detailed in its annual report released on Tuesday. The report highlights a rise in movement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, as well as among non-Cypriot EU citizens and third country nationals.
According to figures provided by Cyprus police, Greek Cypriots made a total of 1,453,135 crossings last year, alongside 833,786 crossings by Greek Cypriot vehicles. This marks an increase from 1,346,121 crossings by individuals and 822,443 by vehicles in 2022. Similarly, Turkish Cypriots recorded 1,983,610 crossings and 748,061 vehicle crossings, up from 1,814,617 individuals and 705,532 vehicles the previous year.
The report also noted that non-Cypriot EU citizens and third country nationals accounted for 2,053,958 crossings in 2023, a significant rise from 1,777,946 in 2022. However, the report specified that the figures from the Republic of Cyprus do not include data on crossings from the Pergamos and Strovilia checkpoints, where the north borders the British Dhekelia base.
At these specific crossing points, the report indicated a decrease in crossings by Greek Cypriots compared to the previous year. In contrast, crossings by Turkish Cypriots, non-Cypriot EU citizens, and third country nationals saw an increase. The Turkish Cypriot police corroborated a decline in the number of crossings made by Greek Cypriot vehicles, yet overall, the report concluded that crossings by Greek Cypriots and others had risen.
The Commission's report suggested that economic factors, including high prices and inflation within the Turkish Cypriot community, may have discouraged Greek Cypriots from crossing for personal shopping. Conversely, these conditions appeared to encourage Turkish Cypriots to cross into the southern part of the island.
Long queues at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point have been a persistent issue, prompting the Republic of Cyprus authorities to deploy additional human resources to facilitate smoother crossings. In December 2023, improvements funded under the EU aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community were initiated to increase the number of lanes at this crossing point, with completion achieved in January 2024.
The report also addressed the issue of irregular crossings, noting a decline from 3,319 in 2022 to 2,433 in 2023. This marks the third consecutive year of decline since reaching an all-time high of 16,627 in 2022. Efforts to manage irregular migration in the northern part of Cyprus were acknowledged, with Turkish Cypriot authorities reporting that 5,230 individuals were refused entry to the north and 1,754 were deported last year.
The European Commission's findings reflect ongoing dynamics in the movement between the two communities on the island, highlighting both the challenges and developments in managing crossings along the Green Line.