Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said the Greek Cypriot side rejected a proposal for a bicommunal football match between under-14 teams from northern and southern Cyprus. He also commented on the Imagine education programme and developments at crossing points in Nicosia.
Under-14 football match proposal
Erhurman told television channel Kanal Sim that a proposal for a match between two under-14 football teams from northern and southern Cyprus was rejected. He said the reason given was that teams from southern Cyprus are members of international federations and that such a match would cause problems with those federations.
He questioned that position, saying “all the federations are aware of the problem on the island of Cyprus”. He added that he did not think any federation would create a problem so long as both sides agree, and said he proposed the match so under-14 children could come together and play sports.
Imagine education programme
Erhurman said he has not received a formal proposal to restart the bicommunal Imagine education programme, which was curtailed by his predecessor Ersin Tatar. He said President Nikos Christodoulides has not brought the issue to the table, adding that he has no prejudice regarding the project but that no proposal has come from Christodoulides’ side.
The education ministry announced last month that the programme would recommence this month. Nicosia mayors Mehmet Harmanci and Charalambos Prountzos have expressed support for the programme, and Harmanci said at an event last week that knowing each other is necessary for peace, reconciliation and solidarity.
Crossing points and staffing
Erhurman said work to widen the Ayios Dhometios crossing point in west Nicosia would be completed by the end of the month and that it would bring significant relief.
He referred to agreements from last month’s trilateral meeting with Christodoulides and United Nations envoy Maria Angela Holguin, including increasing staff at the Ayios Dhometios crossing points and installing points at Astromeritis and Dherynia where insurance and MOT certificates for Turkish Cypriot vehicles can be obtained.
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