Tatar to discuss new crossing with UN in London

The issue of opening a new crossing point in Mia Milia to enhance contact between the two communities will be raised at his 1 July meeting in London with the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar told Dialog newspaper director Resat Akar. He said his meeting with Ms Olgin would take place at the offices of the pseudo-state's "delegation" in the British capital.

In statements that appear on the front pages today, and were made in flight yesterday during the trip of the Turkish Cypriot leader to Istanbul, from where he will go to Britain, Mr Tatar said that if a crossing opens in Mia Milia this will ease the traffic in Agios Dometios. Claims that the Turkish Cypriot side is against the operation of new crossing points do not correspond to reality, he added.

"Increasing the number of crossing points is beneficial for both sides. It is beneficial both from an economic point of view and from the point of view of the rapprochement of the two communities," he pointed out. Tatar said that Olgin will meet him "at the TRNC representative office in London" and that he will again convey to her the Turkish Cypriot side's thoughts on the negotiations.

He reiterated his position that one side cannot be at the negotiating table as a state and the other as a community, noting the issue of political equality. If there is to be a permanent solution in Cyprus, trust between the two communities must be increased, he said, adding that mutual contacts are useful in this regard.

"I see the congestion at the barricades, especially in Agios Dometios. Therefore, as a step, opening the Mia Milia crossing would be of great benefit. Agios Dometios will be decongested if car crossings are made through Mia Milia. More people will start coming and going. I believe the contacts will contribute to the development of relations between the two communities," he said.

[Information sourced from CNA]