President Ersin Tatar pays a visit to Akıncılar where he has a meeting with local officials and villagers on the opening of a crossing point there
President Ersin Tatar has paid a visit to the village of Akıncılar where he held a meeting with the mukhtars and villagers on the prospects of an Akıncılar-Limbiya crossing point.
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President Ersin Tatar emphasised the importance of opening of a new crossing point in Akıncılar, which he called a village “that is of significant historical and cultural value” – located in the heartland of the Mesaoria Plain west of the capital and geographically located near to Ercan Airport.
The President, who carried out an inspection of the area where the Akıncılar – Limbiya crossing point would be located, was accompanied by his Special Representative, Güneş Onar and Ali Karavezirler, Mayor of Değirmenlik – Akıncılar.
Addressing the locals in a meeting, President Tatar recalled his time when he was Prime Minister, when a protest had been staged by the villagers of Akıncılar who called for a crossing point to be opened there.
“I had also participated in the protest and supported you when I was serving as Prime Minister,” President Tatar said, adding: “Akıncılar is a unique village that is of significant historical and cultural value.”
“I have met so many people who originate from Akıncılar during my travels abroad, and everybody has so much love for the village and are longing to return to Akıncılar. They talk about the cultural features of the village and their experiences here,” the President said.
The President stated: “The Turkish Cypriot Side has previously made many concessions by agreeing to open the crossing points in Yeşilırmak, Aplıç and Bostancı – all of which are open and in operation at present, however there had never been a reciprocation to us and therefore I have proposed to the Greek Cypriot Side, via the UN, an opening of a new crossing point in Akıncılar.”
Stating that there were eight million crossings in total recorded for 2024, the President said: “This figure is roughly five-times the total population of the Island of Cyprus and the majority of crossings are being made at the Metehan crossing point, to the east of Lefkoşa.”
“The traffic congestion and chaos in Metehan will be further exacerbated once the new Presidency, Parliamentary Assembly and Park – that will naturally attract crowds – are opened soon. We are making tangible proposals aimed at alleviating the congestion at Metehan which is essential, reasonable and logical. . . this includes the opening of a crossing point in Akıncılar,” President Tatar said.
The President stated that an “opening ceremony” will soon be held to open the new Presidential complex and Parliamentary Assembly, as well as a foundation laying ceremony for the new Supreme Court, that will be attended by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye.
“I have proposed for the opening of two new crossing points in Akıncılar and Haspolat – the latter being used exclusively for economic and commercial activities as well as general crossings, with a view to increasing trade volume under the Green Line Regulation and people-to-people contacts," President Tatar said.
The President added: "Despite agreeing the agenda at the informal dinner hosted by the UN Secretary-General on October 15, 2024 in New York, I was rather disappointed to see the so-called 'eight-point proposals' of the Greek Cypriot leader that includes issues not related to border crossings. I had informed the Greek Cypriot leader in New York why we can not accept his so-called proposals for transit points – or South-to-South passages, which do not fit the definition of a crossing point. . . they are making proposals which have previously been made and rejected by our Side.”
“I call upon the Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Christodoulides, to be reasonable on the issue of crossing points, and for us to be able to give good and positive news to our respective peoples," President Tatar said, adding: "A crossing point in Akıncılar would certainly restore the historical village to its former glory.”
Mayor Ali Karavezirler stated that there is “hope that the Akıncılar crossing point will be opened. . .possibly as early as August – September”.
Mr. Karavezirler said that "if the political will is put forward by the Greek Cypriot leader, Nikos Christodoulides, we are ready to play our part to get this crossing point, which is very important for us, opened as soon as possible.”
Mr. Karavezirler said: "If you believe in something, you are half-way to achieving it. I wish to thank President Tatar for his arduous efforts and support for the opening of a crossing point in Akıncılar.”
President Tatar and Mr. Karavezirler answered the questions of the mukhtars of the region and the public and listened to their views.