"Bulgarian Turks wonder whether accession will allow them south
By Simon Bahceli
WHETHER around 2,000 Bulgarian Turks living in north Cyprus would be allowed to travel south of the Green Line remained a mystery yesterday, despite Bulgaria’s accession to the EU on Monday.
Government Spokesman Christothoulos Pashardis said the government was considering the issue and would issue a statement today.
Regarded by the Cypriot government as illegal settlers, the immigrant Bulgarian community in the north has been prevented from crossing south – even though the Green Line regulation introduced in May 2004 allows for the free movement of all European citizens. Around 2,000 Bulgarian Turks have been living in north Cyprus since they fled their native Bulgaria in the mid 1980s during efforts by the then-communist government to assimilate them. Despite the collapse of communism, many did not return to Bulgaria, preferring to stay on the island. "
More:Bulgarian Turks wonder whether accession will allow them south
