Nicosia, Jun 29 (CNA) – Statistical data regarding the huge cost the two Cypriot air carriers, Cyprus Airways and Eurocypria, shoulder due to the restrictive measures which Turkey imposes against Cypriot aircrafts, were presented today to heads and attaches of EU member states diplomatic missions in Cyprus and the head of the European Commission representation on the island.
Communications and Works Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, who convened the meeting, briefed the foreign diplomats on the issue during a meeting held Thursday at the Ministry. The figures concerning the cost of the Turkish restrictions since 2004, when Cyprus joined the EU were provided by Cyprus Airways Commercial Manager Christos Agapiou and Eurocypria Acting Chairman Costas Iacovou. Cyprus Airways had a cost of 1.7 million euro in 2004, in 2005 the amount reached 2,4 million euro, in 2006 it climbed to 2,5 million euro, in 2007 it further increased to 3 million euro, in 2008 it reached 3,1 million euro and in 2009 the amount was 2,7 million euro.
For Eurocypria the cost was 2,5 million euro in 2008 and from 2004 to 2009 it range around 13 million euro. “If one estimates the cost of the restrictions during all the 36 years of the Turkish occupation (of Cyprus' northern third), surely it will rise to dozens of million if not to hundreds of million euro,” Marcoullis pointed out. She said that she had the chance to inform European diplomats about all actions taken by the Republic of Cyprus to address the recent crisis due to the partial strike of Greek air traffic controllers. We were given the opportunity, she said, to underline the ongoing illegal restrictions the Turkish authorities impose against Cyprus Airways and Eurocypria aircrafts to fly over the Turkish airspace.”
She also noted that Civil Aviation Department Director Leonidas Leonidou informed the diplomats about all the other repercussions of the Turkish embargo, especially as regards flights security, the financial impact as well as the environmental consequences.
The Minister said that she informed the EU diplomats about the letter she sent to EU Commissioner responsible for Transport Siim Kallas and about her letter to the Belgian Minister of Transport, whose country currently holds the EU Presidency.
As she noted, with this letter she has asked the Belgian EU Presidency to include the issue of the Turkish embargo against Cypriot aircrafts in the agenda of the next session of the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council to be held on October 15 in Luxembourg, so that she will have the opportunity to inform her European counterparts about the issue. The Minister also plans to request for the EU member states solidarity, with a view to terminate the ongoing illegal Turkish restrictions against Cypriot aircrafts. Marcoullis also said that she sent on Thursday a letter to all her EU counterparts informing them about developments on this issue and the Republic of Cyprus request to the Belgian EU Presidency to discuss the issue during the next EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council.
The Minister said that this was a unique opportunity for the diplomats to be informed first hand, especially by the representatives of the two Cypriot airliners, about the huge cost they have paid all these years and their disadvantageous position compared to other European air carriers, which conduct flights to the same destinations. She expressed the belief that the EU will show its solidarity with the Republic of Cyprus with a view to terminate this unacceptable Turkish policy against Cyprus.
Asked about the EU diplomats’ response, Marcoullis expressed the belief that this time the EU response on the issue will be more effective and positive. Turkey, a country that aspires to become an EU member, does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member since May 2004. Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.
