NICOSIA - President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat today agreed to open the controversial Limnitis crossing “sometime soon”.
This was announced by the UN Secretary General’s special representative in Cyprus, Taye Brook Zerihoun, at the end of this morning’s 34th meeting between the two leaders within the framework of the ongoing peace dialogue.
A UN spokesman said that people wishing to cross to visit Kokkina would be escorted by UNFICYP. Visits will be made by minibus on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The TC side may request a UNFICYP escort for one or two extra minibuses a week.
Ambulances and fire engines will also be allowed through as will food and water and non-military supplies.
Yesterday, visiting European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso urged the two leaders to overcome long-standing obstacles on this confidence-building measure.
Barroso also disclosed that the EU is willing to co-finance the necessary road infrastructure after the crossing’s opening which was supposed to take place simultaneously with that at Nicosia’s Ledra Street.
But for 15 months the Turkish side kept raising unacceptable new demands that stalled the opening of the crossing.