Cypriot leaders from both sides of the divided island met on Monday to discuss opening new crossing points in an effort to revive peace talks that have stalled for eight years, the United Nations reported.
Greek-Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides of the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member, and Ersin Tatar, leader of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is recognised only by Turkey, met in the buffer zone dividing the Mediterranean island since 1974.
The meeting was mediated by UN Special Representative Colin Stewart, following an informal dinner with the two leaders in New York on 15 October, organised by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
According to the UN, both leaders agreed that opening new crossing points could strengthen economic ties and create a more favourable climate for peace talks.
Cyprus has been split since a coup by Greek-Cypriot nationalists on 15 July 1974 aimed at annexing the island to Greece, and an intervention by the Turkish army five days later. The Republic of Cyprus occupies the southern two-thirds of the island, while the TRNC controls the northern third.
There are currently nine crossing points along the demarcation line, which runs from northwest to southeast through Nicosia, the world’s last divided capital.
There have been increasing calls for more crossing points along the 180-kilometre buffer zone to ease access for people living in isolated areas.
