Cyprus President Demetris Christofias has expressed concern that there may be delays in the implementation of the agreement reached between him and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat concerning the opening of Limnitis crossing point, on the northwest of Cyprus,
Christofias’s statements came after his 39th meeting with Talat, in the framework of UN-led direct negotiations aiming at a settlement of the Cyprus problem, during which the two leaders continued their discussion on the issues relating to aliens, immigration, asylum and citizenship. Christofias said they will conclude their discussion on these issues next week, but that does not mean that they will reach an agreement on them.
He also said that during their next meeting on August 6 they will also discuss ways to move forward during the second phase of the talks.
Asked if during the meeting they discussed about the number of Turkish settlers that will remain on the island, Christofias said they did not discuss it.
Invited to say if they talked about the issue of the opening of Liminits crossing point he said that they did not discuss it, noting that his agreement with Talat on this issue is still to be implemented.
He noted that he is worried that there will be delays that will create problems for the people who live there and generally.
“I want to believe that both the UN, the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot side will contribute with a view to speed up the process” he added.
On June 26th, during their 34th meeting in the framework of the direct negotiations, Christofias and Talat reached an agreement on the opening of Limnitis crossing point.
The agreement the leaders of the island’s two communities have reached provides that in emergency cases fire engines and ambulances can cross to and from Cyprus’ northern Turkish occupied areas to the southern part of the country, which is under the control of the Republic of Cyprus.
The opening of Limnitis will facilitate movement between the island’s northern Turkish occupied areas and the southern government controlled part of the country.
For the past 45 years, Greek Cypriot residents in the area of Limnitis, on the northwest, have to travel to Paphos, on the western coast, and Limassol, on the south, in order to reach the capital Nicosia.
Opening a crossing point at Limnitis would make this journey far shorter. In the recent past, several crossing points to and from the island’s northern Turkish occupied areas have opened to facilitate the movement of people.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Direct negotiations between Christofias and Talat began in September 2008.
