Nicosia: President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides has confirmed that the topic of checkpoints, especially the opening of the Pyroi crossing, will be addressed at the forthcoming expanded meeting on Cyprus in New York. The announcement was made during a meeting held on Monday at the Presidential Palace with a delegation from the Committee of municipalities adjacent to the ceasefire line and Semi-Occupied Municipalities. Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou was also present, and discussions included housing plans for remote areas and other local concerns.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides emphasized that the government remains steadfast in its positions concerning the checkpoints, a significant issue for municipalities near the ceasefire line and semi-occupied municipalities, despite challenges from the Turkish Cypriot side. He highlighted that this issue would be brought up during his meeting with the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, and at the upcoming expanded conference on the Cyprus issue in New York.
Following the meeting, Committee President and Mayor of Athienou Kyriakos Kareklas stated that several matters relating to border communities were discussed, with a primary focus on the opening of crossing points, notably the Pyroi crossing. ‘The President assured us that the opening of the crossing is a top priority for both himself and his government, and he will raise it during next week’s meeting with the UN Secretary-General,’ Kareklas remarked. He added that, as they were informed, efforts to open the Pyroi crossing are progressing, and there is hope for a favorable outcome.
Interior Minister Ioannou commented that the meeting addressed various issues, including the housing scheme for disadvantaged areas and municipalities near the ceasefire line. He mentioned that additional regions were brought to the President’s attention, with a commitment to review them during the next evaluation at the year’s end to determine their eligibility for inclusion or upgrade under the scheme. The Minister also discussed the checkpoint issue and other challenges facing areas next to the ceasefire line, noting that solutions are being developed for most cases.