Bitterness, disappointment, and hope are the emotions felt in municipalities and communities that were expecting specific developments—whether regarding the opening of new border crossings or the advancement of issues concerning their regions— following the meeting between Olgin, Christodoulides, and Erciyuman.
The cancellation of the scheduled meeting between Famagusta Mayor Simos Ioannou and the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, María Ángela Olguín, the omission of the Athienou–Pyroi crossing point from the announcements, as well as the lack of concrete progress regarding the Tillyria area, are causing concern and unease. Meanwhile, the Mayor of Nicosia, Charalambos Pruntzos, is submitting his own proposals to alleviate traffic congestion in Agios Dometios.
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The Municipality of Famagusta submitted a memorandum
The Mayor of Famagusta, Simos Ioannou, was left waiting as the scheduled meeting with María Ángela Olguín ultimately did not take place. As he noted, the meeting had been scheduled for this morning, but he was informed by the office of the Personal Envoy that she would be unable to meet with him, as she had to prepare the report she would submit to the United Nations Secretary-General.
Olgin’s side asked the Mayor of Famagusta to submit in writing the memorandum he was going to present to her, in addition to the oral remarks he would deliver. The memorandum has already been sent via email, and the Municipality was informed that a meeting could be arranged with a representative of the United Nations Secretariat in Cyprus. The Municipality will collectively consider its next steps.
In the memorandum, the Municipality of Famagusta requests the assistance of the UN Secretary-General regarding the issue of the enclosed city, emphasizing that Famagusta is a unique case, as there are relevant Security Council resolutions providing for its return to its lawful residents under the auspices of the United Nations.
Simos Ioannou stresses that the loss of the enclosed area as well would strip the territorial debate of any substantive meaning. At the same time, he notes that a positive development on this issue could serve as a sign that the two communities can coexist peacefully, develop economically, and move forward with broader initiatives for the city’s development, including the opening of the port.
Referring to statements by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman regarding a proposal that could be a “game changer,” the Mayor of Famagusta stated that he did not know exactly what it entailed or whether it had been discussed during the trilateral meeting. In fact, he expressed his confusion regarding the connection between Varosha and issues that, according to the personal envoy, are a matter for Turkey to decide, such as security and guarantees.
READ ALSO: Cyprus Issue: Next Stop—Trilateral Meeting with Guterres on the Joint Committee, Methodology, and Substance
Disappointment in Athenou
The mayor of Athienou, Kyriakos Karekas, expressed strong disappointment – Pyroi in the announcements regarding the opening of new roadblocks was expressed by Athienou Mayor Kyriakos Kareklas, who noted that the local community had been awaiting this development for 52 years.
As he said, the public discussion of the previous days had raised expectations that four crossing points would be announced, including Pyroi and Mia Milia. Despite the disappointment he expressed, he stated that he remains optimistic, citing the reference in the United Nations announcement that other crossing points will be discussed in the near future.
The Mayor of Athienou has convened an emergency meeting of the Municipal Council in order to reach collective decisions and consider the next steps. As he noted, he expects to be informed of the reasons why this specific proposal did not move forward, noting that the discussions lasted nearly four hours, instead of the one hour that had initially been mentioned.
Mr. Kareklas explained the importance of opening the crossing point, emphasizing that the distance from Athenou to Aglantzia is approximately 12 kilometers and could be covered in just eight minutes. Today, he said, residents need between 45 minutes and one hour to reach Nicosia, resulting in higher fuel costs, inconvenience, and wear and tear on their vehicles.
At the same time, he believes that opening the road could boost Athienou’s economic and residential development, as it would make the area more attractive to students and new residents.
Regarding the difficulties that arose during the negotiations, the mayor stated that he does not yet know which issues posed obstacles. He noted, however, that a section of approximately 1,800 meters of the old Nicosia–Larnaca road passes through the occupied area, while the remainder is located in the buffer zone. Athenou’s position was that a free-passage corridor should be created, without checkpoints or delays.
As he revealed, during María Ángela Olguín’s previous visit to the area, the possibility of creating special facilities—such as fast-track crossings, a third lane, and the use of biometric data, in order to avoid lines and inconvenience. He expressed the hope that these specific proposals would be brought back to the table.
READ ALSO: Civil engineers, architects, and surveyors are getting to work in Lybia and Kampo on the two new roadblocks
No backing down on the measures in Tillyria
Meanwhile, residents of Tillyria are awaiting an update from the President of the Republic, along with Pyrgos Community Council President Nikos Kleanthous, who is leaving open the possibility of vigorous protests. As he noted, a meeting with the President of the Republic has already been requested and is scheduled for next week. Following the briefing, decisions will be made regarding the community’s next steps.
Mr. Kleanthus clarified that Tillyria is not opposed to the opening of other crossing points but is focusing on the request concerning its own area. As he pointed out, residents have been experiencing the consequences of isolation since 1964, while they continue to depend on the whims of the occupying army for their mobility.
At the same time, she emphasized the need to find ways to reduce the region’s dependence on crossing points by strengthening services, providing incentives for development, and finding alternative transportation links to other regions.
He also clarified that the Kampos–Karavostasi transit point is different from the Limnitis roadblock, as they are separate transit points serving different areas.
READ ALSO: Letympiotis explains: Why Kokkina was left out and why Erciyurman’s Turkish proposal was rejected
A Second Checkpoint in Nicosia Is Necessary
The mayor of the capital, Charalambos Pruntzos, who met with her privately, as it was not possible to hold the originally scheduled joint meeting with the Turkish Cypriot Mayor of Nicosia, Mehmet Harmancı, due to the length of the meeting between the two leaders.
Mr. Pruntzos reiterated the need to open a second checkpoint in the Nicosia area, with the aim of relieving traffic congestion in Agios Dometios, through which the overwhelming majority of crossings take place.
As he noted, Agios Dometios is a district of the Municipality of Nicosia, four-fifths of which is under occupation, with the sole crossing point handling the bulk of the traffic. Despite the recent addition of a third traffic lane, the upward trend in crossings continues to put pressure on the area and makes a more permanent solution necessary.
The Mayor of Nicosia has spoken in favor of opening a roadblock in eastern Nicosia, noting that it would facilitate access to the Famagusta area, where many Greek Cypriot refugees originate, while also helping to reduce traffic in Agios Dometios. He even assessed that, given its characteristics, Mia Milia could be opened more easily.
At the same time, he expressed his disagreement with the logic of reciprocity as a precondition for opening checkpoints, arguing that every new crossing point represents a breach in the occupation and allows people to communicate, visit their regions of origin, and get to know their homeland.
However, he made it clear that he does not intend to rush to judgment regarding the failure to open a checkpoint in Nicosia, as he considers it significant that the leaders’ meeting contributed to progress in the process and paved the way for the trilateral meeting with António Guterres.
SEE ALSO: Olgin’s meetings with the municipalities of Famagusta and Morphou have been canceled
