The G/C hotel owners in the occupied territories have the right to take the legal measures against those who will stay in their self-owned tourist hotels for tourist purposes, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Giorgos Lillikas said on Tuesday at a press conference.

Mr. Lillikas referred to the Supreme Court decisions and pointed out that the illegal stay of the Europeans in their self owned hotel units falls within the framework of the private law, according to which court appeals are legal. It is noted that the Cyprus government is currently warning all tour operators on the possible tourist excursion at the occupied areas and the risks they undertake from the transfer of their customers to the north.

The Minister reminded that the EU seeks for respect of the Community acquis and criticized the opposition parties since the regulation for the free movement is part of the EU requirements and the Republic is unable to take any suppressive measures. Mr. Lillikas supported that the tourist industry in the free areas will not be affected by the occupied territories, since they do not have more than 10 thousand beds.

Goods

With regard to the movement of goods and the green line regime, Mr. Lillikas reiterated that the goods produced in the occupied territories will be exported to the European countries only through the legal airports and ports of the Republic.

The Minister finally clarified that the T/C products must be subject to a quality control set by the EU requirements.