Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has declared a standstill in talks on opening new crossing points and upgrading existing checkpoints, insisting no progress has been made.
In a statement, he said: “No one can expect that two leaders who cannot produce a solution even on such a simple issue that would ease the daily lives of both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will produce a solution on the substance of the Cyprus issue.”
According to an announcement from his office, he referred to the problems affecting citizens at the checkpoints, making specific mention of delays at Agios Dometios, as well as proposals on the table for Mia Milia, Louroujina and Pyroi.
He said he also raised the matter during his recent meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York.
Mr Tatar said the issue of new crossing points should not be treated as a tool for gaining “economic, military or political advantage”. He added that increasing crossings could even work against the economy in the north, due to a shift in consumer activity towards the government-controlled areas. However, he stressed that the priority is to ease daily life and strengthen contact between the two communities.
On the Agios Dometios checkpoint, he claimed widening works on the northern side, carried out by a Turkish Cypriot contractor, have been completed. He said he is waiting for the corresponding works to finish on the Greek Cypriot side, as well as for the implementation of what he described as a commitment arising from discussions with President Nikos Christodoulides to install seven booths and provide sufficient staff for checks.
Regarding insurance and vehicle registration permits, he spoke of delays in implementing a commitment to facilitate the issuance of road documents at the Deryneia and Astromeritis checkpoints, which, he said, should have been settled by 31 January.
On Mia Milia, Louroujina and Pyroi, Mr Tatar repeated proposals to open crossing points at Mia Milia and Louroujina, as well as along the road linking Athienou with Aglantzia, via Pyroi. He said the Turkish Cypriot side has submitted four proposals to overcome what he described as “difficulties” concerning the Athienou–Aglantzia link, including the construction of a new road.
Concluding, the Turkish Cypriot leader called on all sides to assume their responsibilities, stating that “we are putting our hand under the stone” and urging others to do the same in order to create the necessary climate to move the Cyprus issue settlement process forward.