The Municipality of Athenou expresses its deep disappointment over the failure to open the Pyroi border crossing, calling for the issue to be immediately brought back to the negotiating table between the two leaders and the United Nations.
At an emergency meeting on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the Athienou Municipal Council reviewed developments surrounding the issue and unanimously concluded that the crossing—which has remained closed for 52 years—must be reopened immediately.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
As the Municipality points out, since 1974 Athienou has been cut off from Nicosia in terms of transportation, with the result that a journey that could be completed in just 8 to 10 minutes via Pyroi now takes 45 to 60 minutes. This situation results in increased fuel costs, greater wear and tear on vehicles, and a significant loss of time for the area’s residents.
Special mention is also made of the students from Athienou, who, according to the Municipal Council, are forced to live in Nicosia and pay high rents, whereas, once the crossing is opened, they would be able to commute daily to their universities from their family homes.
At the same time, the Municipality estimates that the operation of the crossing point will help relieve traffic congestion at the entrance to Nicosia, as it will serve residents of the southern and eastern free areas of Cyprus, who currently use the existing road network.
The announcement also emphasizes the safety aspect, with the Municipality noting that the current route to Nicosia General Hospital, which takes 45 to 60 minutes, could be reduced to 8 to 10 minutes. As noted, this delay may endanger the lives of patients being transported by ambulance.
The opening of the passage, according to the Municipal Council, will also create opportunities for the region’s economic, social, and demographic development, strengthening the local economy and making daily life easier for residents.
In conclusion, the Municipality of Athienou calls on the two leaders and the United Nations to revisit the issue at their next meetings, expressing the hope that, given the difficulties faced by the region’s residents for decades, they will reach an agreement on the immediate opening of the Pyroi crossing point.
