Communities in the Tillyria region have voiced strong concern and anger over the possibility that the Kokkina crossing point may not open despite previous commitments.
At the same time, Nikos Kleanthous, president of the Tillyria Communities Cluster and head of the Kato Pyrgos Community Council, says information reaching local authorities suggests that the Greek Cypriot side may be proposing the opening of a new crossing towards Kambos in exchange for abandoning plans to open the Kokkina crossing.
Kleanthous described such a development as a retreat from promises made by President Nikos Christodoulides, adding that communities in the area are already coordinating with the Polis Chrysochous Municipality and other local communities to examine possible protest measures should the reports prove accurate.
"There can be no new crossing-point agreement that bypasses the Kokkina crossing," Kleanthous said.
He stressed that, for the communities of Tillyria, the opening of the Kokkina crossing is a priority that cannot be set aside.
Kleanthous also voiced strong opposition to the continued passage of Turkish military forces through the area while the crossing remains closed.
"We are not going to continue tolerating the unrestricted passage of the Turkish army through our community while the Kokkina crossing remains closed," he said.
The communities of Tillyria warned that if plans for the opening of the Kokkina crossing are abandoned, they are prepared to proceed with dynamic protest measures, insisting that the issue remains one of their highest priorities.
