Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said there is “no understandable reason” to claim that a proposed new crossing point in Mia Milia would only benefit Turkish Cypriots. He said the crossing would provide relief to both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots amid congestion at Ayios Dhometios.
Benefits of proposed Mia Milia and Louroujina crossings
In a social media post on Friday, Erhurman said it is clear that the Mia Milia and Louroujina crossing points would benefit both communities. He said opening a second crossing point for Nicosia in Mia Milia would ease difficulties experienced at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point.
Erhurman said there is no understandable reason to think the Mia Milia crossing would only benefit Turkish Cypriots, particularly at a time when the Turkish Cypriot economy is “shifting towards the south,” with more Turkish Cypriots spending increased time and money south of the Green Line.
Road proposals linked to Athienou and Aglandjia
Erhurman referred to a Greek Cypriot-side suggestion for a road linking Athienou and the Nicosia suburb of Aglandjia through the north and the buffer zone, describing it as a necessity for Greek Cypriots travelling between Larnaca and Nicosia. He said this was not a reason for rejection by his side and added that he would welcome measures that make daily life easier for Greek Cypriots.
Claims of rejected alternatives
Erhurman said a proposal had been made for Turkish Cypriots to build a new road to Aglandjia via the north, which he said President Nikos Christodoulides rejected on the grounds that Greek Cypriots would prefer not to travel in the north for a long time and would not feel safe.
He also said a second suggestion was for the European Union to finance a road largely through the buffer zone to Aglandjia. Erhurman said he spoke to EU officials who were positive about the idea, but said Christodoulides did not accept it.
Erhurman said the Greek Cypriot leadership later claimed there were many former Greek Cypriot properties on the route of the proposed road in the north, which would cause problems. He said he offered to pay owners of any impacted properties through the Immovable Property Commission, but said this was also rejected.
Position on buffer zone route
Erhurman said that, contrary to claims made, his side presented multiple additional proposals for the road, which he said would be used mostly by Greek Cypriots. He said that after each set of objections, Christodoulides returned to the position that he could only accept the road if it passed through the buffer zone.
What impact do you think a new Mia Milia crossing would have on daily travel in Nicosia?
