Cypriot leaders agree to open new crossing point during UN-backed talks

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders have agreed to open a new crossing point linking the two communities on the Mediterranean island, the United Nations envoy to the country announced today.

“The two leaders decided to proceed with the opening of the Yesilirmak/Limnitis crossing point under normal rules of existing crossings,” Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Cyprus, said in a statement read out after today’s meeting between Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Mr. Zerihoun said that the crossing of persons wishing to visit Erenköy/Kokkina will take place with the escort of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), which has been in place on the island since 1964, after the outbreak of inter-communal violence.

The visits will be made by minibuses every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Humanitarian issues, including travel by ambulances, fire engines and water tanks, were also agreed on during the talks.

In May 2008, the leaders of the two communities committed themselves to working towards “a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions.”

The partnership will comprise a Federal Government with a single international personality, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will be of equal status.