‘Problem-free Cyprus attractive to investors’

İZMİR - Anatolia News Agency

İzmir Chamber of Trade Chair Ekrem Demirtaş (L) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias meet in Nicosia to discuss trade and business problems. DHA photo

A Cyprus island without political problems is far more likely to attract investors than one that continues to be divided, the chair of the İzmir Chamber of Trade told Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias.

“You in the south are still strong, but this will not continue. If you don’t take precautions, the risks will increase in time. … Your economy is not growing,” Ekrem Demirtaş said yesterday that he told Christofias during a meeting in Nicosia on April 23.

A divided Cyprus will not be conducive for investors from either abroad or Turkey, he said.

Unless there are more efforts to link the economies of northern and southern Cyprus, Turkey will continue to support the Turkish north, Demirtaş said.

Greek Cyprus supports the idea of developing economic ties between both sides of the island, Christofias said, but added that such relations would need to be fostered on a parallel political track.

Christofias, meanwhile, also promised Demirtaş that he would do everything in his power to make the island’s green zone more flexible for trade and would take the issue up with European Union officials. Demirtaş told Christofias that he would relay his feedback and suggestions to Ankara.