The approval of the regulation which allows the European tourists to stay overnight in the occupied territories has alarmed the Cyprus hoteliers, StockWatch sources revealed on Friday.

According to sources, the PASYXE Board of Directors proceeded on Thursday to an extraordinary meeting to review the latest developments. Similarly, the Foreign Ministry together with the Commerce Ministry and other officials carried out a critical meeting to examine ways to deal with the problem.

StockWatch sources reveal that Cyprus President, Tassos Papadopoulos has urged the Attorney General to give his legal view on how the Republic will deal with such a possibility.

The government is also expected to lay down its own regulation, which will not allow the overnight stay in the occupied areas, provided that this regulation will override that of the EU.

A PASYXE official expressed his concerns to StockWatch, stressing that the Association will meet again to discuss the issue.

Responding on the question how will the Cyprus government deal with this development, Government Spokesman, Kypros Chrysostomides said that “the territory of the Republic of Cyprus is now European. The European citizens can move freely into the territory of the EU member states. This is what applies to our case. The details of the settlement are still under talks”.

PASYXE

PASYXE Chairman, Haris Loizides referred to the negative consequences on the Cyprus tourism. “We expect the competent authorities to inform us on the issue. We hope that the government finds the proper way to deal with the unpleasant development”, he concluded.