Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots united their voices calling for the opening of new crossing points along the Green Line, facilitation of procedures for crossing and the reunification of Cyprus within the framework of a bizonal bicommunal federation.
About 110 parties, trade unions and NGOs from both communities organised an event entitled “Opening new roads – Reuniting Cyprus” on Saturday. The event included a march starting from Ledras Street in old Nicosia and culminating at the House of Cooperation in the Nicosia buffer zone where crossing points for pedestrians between the two sides, the area under the control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish occupied area operate.
The event was held marking the 20 year anniversary since the opening of the first crossing point and the partial lift of the complete prohibition of movement for people across the divide.
Secretary General of left-wing AKEL Stefanos Stefanou, CTP Secretary General Asim Akansoi, President of TDP Mine Atli, President of the “United Cyprus” Party Izet Izcan, Secretary General of the “New Cyprus” Party Murat Kanatli, Cypriot MEP Niazi Gilzigiurek, “mayor” of occupied Nicosia Mehmet Harmandzi, Mayor of Famagusta Simos Ioannou, “mayor” of occupied Famagusta Suleiman Ulutsai, “mayor” of occupied Kythrea-Louroujina Ali Karaveziler, representatives of trade unions, teachers and other organizations from the two communities took part in the event.
Demonstrators shouted slogans in favour of peace and the solution of the Cyprus problem and delivered a statement-resolution to the UN. The resolution points out, among other things, that the current crossing points cannot meet the needs of people who travel, but also that formalities and unnecessary procedures create further barriers to crossings and that therefore there is a need for simplified and efficient procedures in order to reduce long queues and bureaucracy.
The organizations also point out that there is an ever-increasing pressure from the people affected throughout Cyprus to open more crossing points and that this need has been recognised by the authorities but without any immediate decisions to address it. They recall that the UN Security Council itself, in its most recent decision, urged the sides to reduce the existing barriers to bi-communal communication.
In statements Stefanou said that that his party supports the opening of more crossing points, something which as he noted would facilitate even more contact between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. He pointed out however that “existing problems will be resolved once and for all with the solution of the Cyprus problem, a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as is defined by the UN.”
Kato Pyrgos Tyllirias Community President Nicos Cleanthous said that it is imperative that the Kokkina crossing point opens, something which would resolve the isolation problem the local area faces.
In statements, member of the bi-communal peace initiative “United Cyprus” Christina Valanidou said that the crossing points should be more accessible to the people and that, various bureaucratic procedures should be abolished, adding that at the same time there is a great need to open crossing points in other areas and in Nicosia, in Athienou, Pyroi and Kokkina.
“This situation that followed the opening of the crossing points proved that the two communities can live together without problems,” she noted.
The event concluded with songs from the Bi-Communal Choir.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency