Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos has put forward a proposal for a new vehicle crossing on Agiou Ilarionos street in Kaimakli, raising it with Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou as an alternative to the long-discussed Mia Milia checkpoint opening.
Prountzos said in a statement that opening a crossing at Mia Milia remains the preferred option from a technical standpoint, but given the obstacles and difficulties that appear to exist, the Kaimakli route has been tabled for discussion.
He said the crossing is feasible and that the necessary works could be carried out.
The mayor stressed that the proposal does not represent a departure from the goal of opening Mia Milia alongside a crossing at Athienou-Pyroi-Aglantzia, but is intended to explore alternative options.
Prountzos said Agios Dometios checkpoint is currently under severe pressure, with massive congestion and a series of problems for local residents. He argued that a Kaimakli crossing would relieve that pressure.
Only three of the seven inspection booths at Agios Dometios are currently operational and are not always fully staffed, causing significant delays.
Prountzos said the situation is further aggravated by tighter per-vehicle checks linked to Cyprus’s compliance requirements for full Schengen accession.
The mayor said he had been discussing the Kaimakli proposal with Mehmet Harmancı, the “mayor” of occupied Nicosia, over the past year.
(information from CNA)