Page "Economy of Cyprus" Paragraph 25

Turkey is by far the main trading partner of the Turkish-occupied area, supplying 55 % of imports and absorbing 48 % of exports.

In a landmark case, the European Court of Justice ( ECJ ) ruled on 5 July 1994 against the British practice of importing produce from northern Cyprus based on certificates of origin and phytosanitary certificates granted by the de facto authorities.

The ECJ decided that only goods bearing certificates of origin from the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus could be imported by EU member states.

The decision resulted in a considerable decrease of Turkish Cypriot exports to the EU: from $ 36. 4 million ( or 66. 7 % of total Turkish Cypriot exports ) in 1993 to $ 24. 7 million in 1996 ( or 35 % of total exports ) in 1996.

Even so, the EU continues to be the second-largest trading partner of northern Cyprus, with a 24. 7 % share of total imports and 35 % share of total exports.