President Tufan Erhürman sets out the issue of crossing points in detail

“In our view, the issue of the new crossing points is not part of any attempt to gain economic, military or political advantage!”

President Tufan Erhürman, in a statement shared on social media on Saturday, set out in detail the difficulties experienced at the crossing points and the latest developments concerning proposals for new crossings.

The statement by President Erhürman reads as follows:

“I follow with concern the difficulties experienced by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots at the Metehan crossing point. At a time when the issue is being widely discussed, I would like once again to summarise the developments and initiatives undertaken to date:

1.      As part of the road-widening works in the buffer zone at Metehan, which began during the early days of our term in office, the section under the responsibility of the Turkish Cypriot contractor was completed some time ago. We now await the completion of the section under the responsibility of the Greek Cypriot contractor.

2.      As a result of our meetings with Mr. Christodoulides, we are awaiting the implementation of the commitment: namely, the deployment of seven booths and a sufficient number of personnel on the southern side at Metehan.  

3.      Meanwhile, during those same meetings, the provision of road tax services at the Derinya and Bostancı crossings, which was committed for implementation by 31 January, has not yet been realised. We expect this commitment to be fulfilled.

4.      The proposals for the Haspolat and Akıncılar crossing points, as well as the road and crossing point connecting Kiracıköy to Eylence, which were on the table at the 5+1 meeting in New York, remain on the table. This matter was also raised during our meeting with Mr. Guterres.

The Haspolat and Akıncılar crossing points would be beneficial for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. The Kiracıköy -- Eylence crossing point is of greater importance for Greek Cypriots travelling from Larnaca to Nicosia. From our perspective, however, this poses no problem. What matters is improving the daily lives of people living on the island, regardless of whether they are Greek Cypriot or Turkish Cypriot.

In response to the “concerns” raised by Mr. Christodoulides regarding this crossing, we have put forward four separate constructive proposals — including the construction of a new road on our side — aimed at addressing these “concerns”.

5. For us, the following are important:

a) Improving the daily lives of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

b) Enhancing people-to-people contacts between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots by increasing and improving the crossings.

c) Contributing to the creation of a climate conducive to a solution -- and thereby paving the way for progress in the process -- by having the two leaders produce solutions in Nicosia to the problems faced by their people.

6. In our view, the issue of the new crossing points is not part of any attempt to gain economic, military or political advantage. It may even operate to our economic disadvantage due to economic activity shifting to the south. However, that is not the perspective from which we approach the matter, as our focus is on the three issues listed under the fifth point.

7. For that reason, as with all other matters, we will continue to work on this issue in good faith, with patience, composure and determination.

8. As we have consistently stated, and reiterated in our meeting with Mr. Guterres, if the two leaders are unable to produce solutions even on this simple matter of improving the daily lives of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, it is not reasonable to expect them to resolve the substantive aspects of the Cyprus issue.

 
We have assumed our share of responsibility. All parties must do the same for this problem to be resolved, as well as to show genuine commitment to advancing the process.”