Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots demanded the immediate opening of more crossing points on Friday afternoon, at an event in Nicosia.

Members of bicommunal ‘United Cyprus’ gathered at Ayios Dhometios crossing point to hand a letter to an Unficyp representative, addressed to the UN chief, and to hand out leaflets to drivers passing through.

The group chanted “We open new roads, we reunify Cyprus” and “United for new crossing points”.

The organisers said that over 150 million crossings had been recorded since the current crossing points opened.

United Cyprus is a platform for 75 organisations and political parties from both sides of the divide.

A joint statement signed by the organisers was attached to the letter to the UN secretary-general.

It read that opening more crossing points for vehicles and pedestrians would make the lives of thousands of people easier, as it would facilitate commuting for work, education, health, financial transactions and social contacts.

The impasse in talks for a Cyprus settlement adversely affects progress in all issues, according to the statement.

The leaders of the two communities, the organisers added, must give priority to opening crossing points, however the main aim remained the solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of the island.

In its letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, United Cyprus said his continuous efforts to break the deadlock gave hope that a renewed effort for a settlement could start.

The gathering was addressed by deputy mayor of Nicosia Chrysanthos Fakas, who supported efforts aiming at building confidence between the two communities.

On behalf of Akel, MP Giorgos Koukoumas said opening crossing points did not aim at cementing the status quo, but facilitating the daily lives of thousands of Cypriots from both sides.