Cyprus leaders agree to open two new crossing points across the island's dividing line

The leaders of Cyprus's Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities have agreed to open two new crossing points across the line that has divided the island for more than half a century, in a step that will make it easier for people on both sides to visit, work and trade.

President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman agreed at a meeting on Monday 9 November that the two crossings will open at the same time, Sigmalive reported. One will link Kambos with Karavostasi, and the other Louroujina with Lymbia.

A positive atmosphere

The meeting was held in the UN-controlled area of Nicosia, hosted by María Ángela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy. The UN's spokesperson in Cyprus, Aleem Siddiqui, described the talks as positive and confirmed the agreement on the new crossings. A date for their opening has not yet been announced.

More than crossings

The two leaders also agreed a series of confidence-building measures intended to bring the communities closer together:

Archive material will be exchanged through the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, which will also restore a number of Maronite churches and an Armenian monastery.

Environmental projects will be promoted through the Technical Committee on the Environment.

Imagine, a bicommunal educational programme that promotes peace, cooperation and mutual understanding between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, will resume.

The Technical Committee on Crisis Management will set up a rapid response mechanism, so the two sides can work together immediately when emergencies happen.

A long road

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, with a UN buffer zone, known as the Green Line, running across the island and through the capital, Nicosia. Crossing points first opened in 2003, and since then they have allowed millions of crossings by Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and visitors, including many British tourists.

Opening new crossings has been a difficult subject in recent talks, with disagreements over which routes to choose. Monday's agreement on two of them is a practical sign of progress. Talks on further crossing points, and on the wider question of the island's future, will continue, and a meeting of the two leaders with the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, is expected in the coming weeks.

Why it matters here

The UK has strong links with Cyprus. It is a guarantor power under the 1960 treaties, keeps two sovereign base areas on the island, and is home to large Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. Cyprus is also one of the most popular holiday destinations for travellers flying from Birmingham Airport. For families with roots on both sides of the line, every new crossing makes it a little easier to visit places that were once out of reach.