Tylliria residents push for a crossing at Kokkina

Discussing ways to open the checkpoint at Kokkina on the north-west coast, community leaders of Tylliria area met with Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou on Tuesday at the latter’s initiative.

Kato Pyrgos Tylliria community council president Nikos Kleanthous talking to CNA said that matters pertaining to the negotiator’s purview were discussed with the main issue being the finding of ways to open the Kokkina checkpoint.

Participating in the meeting were communities of Kato Pyrgos Tylliria, Pano Pyrgos Tylliria, Mosphili and Pomos.

Kleanthous said that the negotiator was briefed about the case of Kokkina area and about the necessity for the opening of the checkpoint.

“He promised that what can be done by our side will be done,” Kleanthous said

“[The opening of the checkpoint] is a priority for our side and in an upcoming meeting, we don’t know when, the checkpoint’s opening will be proposed,” he added.

Kleanthous further explained that the Kokkina enclave, situated between Pachyammos and Tylliria, has cut off the coastal road connecting the two areas since the summer of 1964, forcing the area’s residents to use a long winding road through the forest.

Despite constant appeals from the Greek Cypriot side, the Turkish forces have yet to green-light the use of the Pachyammos-Pyrgos Tylliria coastal road, expected to eliminate the distance.