Local authorities in the Tylliria region have warned that they will not accept any arrangement involving the opening of another crossing point unless progress is first made on their longstanding demand for the opening of Kokkina, which they describe as a historic and non-negotiable priority for the area.
In a joint announcement, the municipality and community authorities expressed what they called “reasonable concern” over the possibility of a new crossing point being agreed without Kokkina being included.
They argued that such a move would contradict repeated public and private assurances given by President Nikos Christodoulides to local representatives, according to which he would not consent to the opening of new crossing points unless the Kokkina crossing was addressed first.
For local authorities, the commitment represents a clear undertaking towards a region that continues to suffer the consequences of geographical isolation.
“We will not accept Kokkina being sidelined or replaced as part of any other arrangement,” they said.
'These are not equivalent solutions'
Local authorities have also rejected the suggestion that a potential crossing point at Kambos could serve as an equivalent solution for Tylliria.
They stressed that different areas have different needs and that addressing the difficulties faced by one community cannot be treated as a substitute for resolving those affecting another.
At the centre of their argument is the daily hardship faced by Tylliria residents, who continue to travel long distances to reach Polis Chrysochous, Paphos and Nicosia, as well as access healthcare, education and other essential services.
For the region's representatives, opening Kokkina is about more than making travel easier. They say it is directly linked to equal treatment, regional development, social cohesion and ending Tylliria's longstanding isolation.
Speaking to Politis, Tylliria Community Council Cluster chairman and Kato Pyrgos Community Council chairman Nikos Kleanthous said the communities were already in discussions with Polis Chrysochous Municipality and other local communities to consider their next steps.
He said that if reports and speculation about a new crossing point at Kambos were confirmed and implemented, the communities were prepared to take decisive action.
Kleanthous specifically referred to information suggesting that a proposal had been made to the Turkish side for a new crossing point in the Kambos area in exchange for Kokkina remaining closed.
Such a development, he said, would amount to “going back on the President's promises”.
“There can be no new agreement on crossing points that bypasses the Kokkina crossing,” he stressed, adding that the issue was non-negotiable for Tylliria's communities.
The community cluster chairman also voiced strong opposition to the continued passage of Turkish military forces through the community while the Kokkina crossing remained closed.
“We will not continue to tolerate the unhindered passage of Turkish troops through our community while the Kokkina crossing remains closed,” he said.
Call for clear position from President
Polis Chrysochous Municipality and the Tylliria Community Cluster are calling on the President to clarify his position and honour what they say were commitments made to residents of the region.
“We are not asking for preferential treatment. We are asking for consistency, justice and respect towards a region that has paid the price of isolation for decades,” they said.
They also warned that residents' patience had been exhausted and that, if new crossing points were pursued without Kokkina being opened first, they were determined to respond with organised action and coordinated protest measures.
The local authorities stressed that they were not seeking confrontation but would not remain passive in the face of decisions that, they argued, directly affected the future and quality of life of Tylliria residents.
The opening of Kokkina therefore remains at the top of the local authorities' agenda, with community representatives vowing to continue pursuing their demand through all lawful and democratic means.
