Ledra Street Shopping and Duty Restrictions

Ledra Street, the main shopping district in the medieval heart of old Nicosia was divided back in 1964 when British peacekeepers erected what they foresaw as a temporary barbwire barricade between the street’s fighting Greek and Turkish shopkeepers.

Following the 1974 troubles in Cyprus, the barricade became permanent and it remained so until last Thursday. The 3rd of April 2008 should be seen as an historic day for Cyprus because it was on this day that the barricade on Ledra finally came down. But looking to the here and now, how does this historic event affect the way lives are led in North and South Cyprus? What does the future hold for Ledra shopping and duty restrictions for example?

It is understood that Mehmet Ali Talat was the first Turkish Cypriot leader to take advantage of the border crossing at Ledra in the history of the barricade, the border at Ledra opened to fanfare on the 3rd of April – and then closed again temporarily thanks to petty arguments between the Greek Cypriot authorities and a supposed violation of the buffer zone by Turkish Cypriot soldiers!

Thankfully the petty but totally typical and to be expected arguments subsided and the UN were able to keep the crossing open. When Talat crossed the Green Line at Ledra he made it clear that it is a border crossing that he intends to do all he can to keep open. Whether the Greek Cypriot leader makes the same gesture and walks across the green line and visits the North is a far more contentious issue as many would read more into this than a simple exchange of good will – many would see it as his acceptance of the North as a separate state – so watch this space!

Following Mr. Talat’s example, a record number of shoppers and sightseers crossed the Ledra Street border checkpoint over the weekend and according to the Cyprus Mail, it was as busy as Christmas in the shops and restaurants in South Nicosia on Saturday and Sunday. When news is released relating to the numbers from the south who reciprocated, I am sure we’ll see a similar pattern. It’s good news for trade and it’s exceptionally good news for the development of a unified Cyprus.

But what about duty restrictions in place on the Green Line? They are currently set at EUR 135 per person and this is the value of goods that an individual can transport across the Green Line. The restriction on cigarettes and alcohol is 40 of the former and a litre of the latter for personal consumption. Well, following the opening of the Ledra crossing and in accordance with the general vibe in Cyprus at the moment, the European Commission has proposed an easing of these restrictions. The Commission wants the personal limit increased to EUR 260 and it wants to see a general lifting of duties on farm products originating in Turkish North Cyprus for example. This is in an effort to stimulate business particularly in the North and particularly in line with Greek Cypriot leader Christofias’s plans to unite the economies of Cyprus.

So, in conclusion, despite a typical Cypriot petty fall out about the Ledra Street opening, the vast majority of people are pushing forward towards some form of reunification of Cyprus. There is enough good will and determination in place to make it happen this time – we’re pretty convinced of this fact!