Mine clearance in Zodia area completed

The EU-funded UNDP Partnership for the Future (PFF) De-mining Project, amounting to EUR 2.5 mln, announced the completion of the mine clearance in Zodia, near Morphou on the western side of Cyprus, on Wednesday.

The mine-clearance paves the way for a third crossing point across the Green Line after the Ledra Palace foot crossing and the Ayios Dhometios drive-through crossings opened in 2003.

In a statement, the European Commission said that the new crossing point “contributes to free movement of persons and goods accross the island in support of the EU Green Line policy.

EU involvement in the mine clearance contributes to the process of reconciliation on the island.”

Since the launch in November the programme has cleared over 100,000 m2 and disposed more than 1,300 mines found in Zodia, Kaimakli and Nicosia areas.

In the coming months the de-mining programme intends to begin mine clearance operations in the areas of Ledra Street, Dherinia, Kaimakli, Kato Pyrgos, Kokkinokremmos and Lefka.

Since the necessary EC legislation to open both Zodia and Ledra Street is already in place, the actual timing of the openings will be up to the political actors on both sides.