The Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot parties, participating in the regular meetings in Ledra Palace, call upon the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to intensify their efforts towards opening new crossing points in Nicosia, the Athienou ( Kiracıköy)-Louroutzina (Akıncılar) area and Kokkina (Erenköy).
In their joint communique, it is noted that representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties participating in the bicommunal dialogue under the auspices of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Nicosia have met on Thursday, 5th of December 2024 in the buffer zone of Ledra Palace in the presence of “representatives of local authorities” from areas of both sides of the divide.
The parties call the leaders of the two communities “to highly consider the recent call of the UN Secretary General as well as the voices of the local communities in both sides of the divide for an agreement on the opening of new crossing points.”
“In this framework, the leaders should intensify their efforts towards opening new crossing points in Nicosia, Athienou-Louroutzina area and Kokkina” they add.
An agreement, it adds, on new crossing points “will contribute greatly to confront the isolation and other daily challenges in several areas affected by the unacceptable divisive status quo.”
“At the same time, it will further strengthen the relations between the two communities at several levels. An agreement on opening new crossing points should be taken in a spirit of empathy and cooperation instead of one of antagonism. In relation to this issue, the joint interests of all Cypriots should be put in front of the interests of the one community over the other” the joint communique reads.
Such an agreement, it is pointed out, will also contribute positively on the efforts for resumption of the negotiations towards the peaceful and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem.
At the meeting, it is added, were present along with the political parties, “representatives of local communities asking for the opening of new crossing points. Namely from Nicosia the Mayors Mr. Charalambos Prountzos and Mr. Mehmet Harmanci, the Mayor of Athienou Mr. Kyriakos Kareklas, the representative of Lurucina area Mr. Ali Karavezirler and the President of Tillyria Community Complex Mr. Nicos Kleanthous”.
