North Cyprus authorities refused to allow mask donation by Turkish Cypriot enter the country from south

A Turkish Cypriot businessman who donated 10,000 medical masks to south Cyprus could not do the same in his country after he was prevented from bringing in the masks from south to north Cyprus, citing the Green Line Regulation.

Olgun Arguden had imported 30,000 much-needed medical masks through south Cyprus on a special DHL cargo flight. He donated 10,000 to the south and intended to do the same in the north.

The remaining 10,000 he planned to sell to pharmacists in north Cyprus at cost price but he has not yet been given permission to cross north with the masks because of the Green Line Regulation.

Arguden said he had set up a company in south Cyprus 15 years ago, which he uses to trade but because of the current conditions, he cannot carry the masks to the north.

He said the Turkish Cypriot authorities signed all the paperwork needed but he was informed that for the shipment to go through there must be a ‘cabinet’ decision.

Arguden said they are citing the fact that only products that are made or undergo processing in southern Cyprus can pass through the dividing line.

The businessman argues that the island was in a state of emergency and if they wanted, they could have let the cargo through in five minutes, especially considering the shortage of masks.

Speaking on the matter, Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Ersin Tatar said they could not bypass the TRNC customs.

It has nothing to do with a donation, this is an import. Customs were paid (Republic). But we also have a state and customs here, Tatar said.

Cyprus mail