Ledra Street, which was the main shopping street of the capital Nicosia, has opened on Thursday at 0900 local time (0600 GMT), for the first time in nearly 45 years, signaling a renewed momentum in efforts to bring about a settlement to the Cyprus problem.
At 0900 local time, representatives from both communities cut a ribbon in Kykkou street a road between Ledras and what it known as Locmatzi point in the Turkish occupied part of Nicosia, releasing balloons into the sky, indicating the opening of the street closed since 1963.
Addressing the ceremony, Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou said this day is “an auspicious occasion†as it signals the opening of the fifth crossing point in
”We want to be auspicious because we aspire in the elimination of the crossings and the opening of all roads in this country for all its citizens with no obstructions as consequence of its reunification”, he added.
”Already we have started negotiations we are establishing working groups and technical committees to look at all aspects of the problem and we will try our best to reach an agreement for the settlement of the longstanding
Iacovou recalled that the opening of Ledras was not a “bed of roses. ”In fact I could say it has been a difficult road to reach a happy celebratory occasionâ€, noting the obstacles have been overcome and “I hope we will overcome all the difficulties that we face in the process to find a solution to the problem of Cyprus that will lead to the reunification of the country and its people,” he concluded
Nami on his part said the opening of Ledra Street is a historic event.
”We are witnessing the overcoming of one of the obstacles for the reunification of the island. Almost half a century of division has been symbolised here,” he added, noting that today’s ceremony ”is symbolic in the fact that we are now in a new era, a new process has started, it started in a very positive mood.”
In Nami’s words, ”we are now at a new age, new understanding, we have to make good use of it. Let us not forget it is important for us, not G/c and T/c only, but the world is also watching us and watching closely how we are going to manage our conflict.”
The so-called mayor of the Turkish occupied part of
, adding that he and Eleni Mavrou Mayor of
”All this time Eleni and I worked together and today locmatzi is opening,” he added.
In her address, Mavrou said that the opening of
”generates a renewed sense of hope for both communities in the island that progress towards a comprehensive settlement that has been elusive for far too long has been achieved.”
She said the road has opened but the bullet ridden buildings “around us is a constant reminder that there is still a long way until peace prevails and the reunification of the island achievedâ€. She added that ”it remains to be seen whether this road in the end turns into the avenue which would help us reach solutions for all Greeks and Turkish Cypriots.” She concluded saying in Turkish ”Kibris’da baris insallah (I wish there is peace in
Interim Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Elizabeth Spehar, described today’s ceremony as historic because it constitutes ”tangible evidence that what has appeared impossible for decades is in fact attainable.”
She also said that this day is ”historic in its symbolism, as the barriers that came to embody the division of this beautiful island finally give way to let all the people of Nicosia come together in the heart of the city.”
”We all know that the opening of Ledra Street does not mean the Cyprus problem has been solved. That will require much more work among Cypriots as well as support from all those who wish to see a just and durable settlement in this country. But the opening does give us a glimpse of what is possible when those elements come together,” she added.
According to Spehar, ”there is a new environment in
The opening of
was agreed by
