Cyprus continues negotiations over new checkpoints along the UN buffer zone, following an informal trilateral meeting in New York, with the Greek Cypriot side insisting that the Mia Milia crossing cannot open in isolation.
President Christodoulides has made clear to both the UN Secretary-General and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar that opening Mia Milia alone is not an option.
The Republic of Cyprus proposes combining it with either a checkpoint at Kokkina or Pyroi, and has additionally suggested a pedestrian crossing in Nicosia’s walled city.
Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou has reiterated this position in meetings with Guner Onar, the Turkish Cypriot leader’s representative.
The UN and Turkish Cypriot side appear to understand the Greek Cypriot stance of “Mia Milia plus another crossing” rather than “Mia Milia alone.”
Sources indicate that a new crossing at Mia Milia could generate traffic comparable to the Ayios Dometios crossing, which sees approximately 1.5 million crossings annually.
Greek Cypriot officials argue this would primarily benefit the Turkish Cypriot economy through increased visitor spending.
The Turkish Cypriot side cites military objections to opening either proposed additional crossing, at Pyroi along the old Larnaca-Nicosia road, or in the Kokkina area.
However, Greek Cypriot sources suggest movement might be possible, noting a precedent with the Ledra Street crossing, which opened despite initial military objections.
Progress on crossing points could influence future UN initiatives, including potential leader-level meetings and UN Senior Official Rosemary DiCarlo‘s next visit to the island.
