Government ready to reopen crossing points on Monday

We will be ready to open the crossing points on Monday, Government Spokesman Kyriacos Koushos said on Friday, adding that a relevant decision on the part of the Republic of Cyprus is still valid.

Speaking at the Presidential Palace, Koushos was asked about the opening of crossings from the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and said that the President of Cyprus has taken a decision to resume the operation of a specific crossing point. This will facilitate certain categories of people, such as Turkish Cypriots who work in the free areas of the Republic, pupils studying in the free areas, as well as people who need to cross for humanitarian or health reasons, he added, saying that the measure is also valid for the enclaved.
 
Koushos referred to the common understanding reached by the President of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot leader, during a telephone exchange, to reopen all crossing points used by motor vehicles, as well as Ledra Palace to be used for pupils crossing by bus to attend schools.
 
“Everybody knows that we are and we have been ready to resume the operation of crossing points” the Spokesman said. The decision of the Republic of Cyprus is valid, therefore the Minister of Interior announced on Friday the procedure to be followed for those crossing, he added.
 
Koushos also said that the issue is being politicized by the “prime minister” of the illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, ahead of the process to select the new Turkish-Cypriot leader.
 
“We are ready to reopen crossing points on June 8” he said, adding that the Cyprus government is not willing to get involved in political skirmishes taking place in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.
 
Asked what the President’s reaction will be, the Spokesman said that the President is concerned about this issue but suggested patience ahead of developments. “Let’s wait for a couple more days to see how this develops and then we will announce the decisions by the President of the Republic,” Koushos concluded.
 
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led reunification talks have so far failed to yield a positive outcome.
 
The “authorities” of the Turkish Cypriot puppet regime have prohibited all crossings from mid-March. On April 11 the prohibition expanded to include the diplomatic corps and members of the UN.

The Republic of Cyprus’ Cabinet had decided on February 28 to suspend the operation of four crossing points (Ledras Street, Astromeritis, Lefka and Dherynia), as a precaution against COVID-19 continuing however to allow crossing in another five crossing points taking all necessary precautions.