The meeting held at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism on Sunday decided to introduce a committee, which will review the possible repercussions on tourism and the possible prospects to the benefit of the island’s tourist industry, Commerce Minister, Giorgos Lillikas said on Monday after the meeting with the CTO representatives, the Hoteliers’ Associations and tour operators. “This might lead to the review of certain aspects concerning the development of the tourist product in the Strategic Plan”, Mr. Lillikas said, clarifying that he does not expect any negative effects on the Cyprus tourism for 2004.

Movement of persons

The Minister said that the government will comply with the EU directives with regard to the movement of persons to and from the occupied territories. “What is effective for the Cypriot citizens will be effective for the European citizens as well. It is not the Cyprus government that hampers the free movement but the T/C regime”, the Mr. Lillikas said.

Commerce Minister left the possibility open to restrict the right of movement for citizens of other countries rather than European, stressing that citizens of third countries will not enjoy the same rights as EU citizens. “The Cyprus government reserves its right to impose fines to all those (including EU citizens) who will visit Cyprus via unauthorized ports and airports. This legislation has been accepted by the European Union years ago”, Mr. Lillikas clarified.

Mr. Lillikas, however, admitted that foreign tour operators have expressed their interest on the exploitation of the occupied territories. “The foreign organizations will be informed on the inability to enforce the Community acquis on security issues in the occupied areas” he added.

With regard to the possibility of direct flights from the US to the occupied territories, the Minister said that this impossible and reminded the EU directive which allows movement only through the Cyprus-controlled ports and airports.