Breaking Barriers: Real Voices of Green Line Trade Highlights Cooperation, Quality, and Opportunity Across Cyprus

Funded by the European Union, this EU One Stop Shop (EU OSS) event highlighted lived experience, dialogue, and practical support as essential drivers of Green Line trade (GLT), reaffirming the EU’s commitment to expanding economic cooperation across Cyprus.

Opening remarks from Mr. Jan Naplava (European Commission EUPSO), Ms. Aysun Önet İleri (Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce), and Mr. Andreas Andreou (Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry) emphasized shared benefits, trust-building, and the importance of the Green Line trading.

The EU OSS team presented the free services available to support businesses engaging in GLT. Ms. Marianna Charalambous, Team Leader, outlined the mission and tools of the EU OSS, while Mr. Çağlar Türk, Green Line Trade Expert, provided guidance on procedures and compliance, underscoring the EU OSS’s role in improving quality standards and facilitating trade.

A session on Real Stories showcased real examples of cross‑community collaboration and the opportunities created through GLT. Companies highlighted how cross‑community trade has become a catalyst for growth and confidence. By engaging with partners from the other community, businesses reported strengthened trust, clearer and more disciplined business planning, and a natural expansion of product lines to meet diverse customer preferences. Their stories underscored how collaboration across the divide is not only possible but commercially rewarding, driving innovation and resilience across the GLT network.

During the Human Library, participants engaged directly with traders who shared their experiences as “living books,” offering insight into the challenges and opportunities of GLT. Networking followed, allowing attendees to explore partnerships and connect with the EU OSS team for tailored support.

The event demonstrated how the EU, through the Green Line Regulation and the EU OSS, is working to increase GLT, strengthen quality and safety, and expand opportunities for both communities—highlighting GLT as a bridge for cooperation and shared welfare.

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