Cypriot FM: Ledras must open in the most effective and secure manner

Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou said here
Friday that it is more important the crossing point on Ledras Street to open in the most effective
and secure manner rather that setting a timeframe for the opening of a street
closed for more than 40 years.
Kyprianou’s statements came as works for the preparation
of the opening of the crossing point began earlier today. Yesterday Nicosia
Mayor Eleni Mavrou said that Ledras could open by the end of next week.
”It is more important Ledras Street to open for crossing in the
right and effective manner rather than to rush and set a timetable whether this
could be done two days before of after,” Kyprianou said speaking to the press
before his departure for Slovenia
where he will attend an EU informal Foreign Ministers meeting.
”Ledras street has been closed for more than 40 years and
it will take some more days to make sure that everything will be done in the
right way and the crossing would be made safely,” he said, adding that the
opening of the particular crossing point is a ”difficult and a technical issue
with some political aspects.”
Kyprianou said that the informal EU Foreign Ministers
meeting would focus on issues such as the Middle East peace process, the
problems in Lebanon,
the EU – Russian relations and the issues regarding western Balkans.
These issues concern directly the Republic of Cyprus
because they relate to our region or affect friendly countries. We will be
given the opportunity to contribute to the policy-making and to express the
views of the Republic
of Cyprus on these
issues,” he concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its
nothern third.