AKEL meets Turkish Cypriot Platform ”This country is ours”

All issues as regards the opening of a crossing point at the end of one of Nicosia’s main commercial streets, Ledra Street were discussed during a meeting between leader of left-wing AKEL party and the Turkish Cypriot Platform “This country is ours”.

Both sides expressed the wish that all crossings open under conditions of safety, stressing the importance of securing safe passage for Cypriots crossing to and from the Turkish occupied areas of the country and noted that further measures from the military, such as demanning, should be taken.

Responding to questions AKEL General Secretary Demetris Christofias said that he raised the issue of demanning at the meeting, pointing out that the demolishing of a bridge or an observation post are not enough and that other issues that have to do with the presence of the military in the area need to be settled.

He further noted that AKEL is still working in the direction of opening

, reminding the relevant agreement between his party and the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) and expressing the hope that the UN will soon undertake an initiative so as to have positive results.

Speaking on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot Platform, Hurrem Tulga, said that in order to solve the problems there must be a joint effort and cause.

It is everybody’s wish to open this crossing point as well as other crossings following the same procedures as in the cases of the previous checkpoints, within the UN framework, he said, expressing the hope that the wall on the side of the government controlled areas will also be demolished.