UN mediates as verbal incident sparks Pyla diplomacy

The situation in Pyla remains quiet, United Nations sources told the Cyprus News Agency when asked about press reports on tension in the area.

Head of the community council Simos Mitides said that they were instructed to stop works temporarily, noting that he believes that the problem will be solved later today or tomorrow.

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yenidüzen reported on its website about a verbal incident this morning between peacekeepers and the so called Turkish Cypriot authorities, adding that negotiations began between the Turkish occupying forces and the UN.

Cyprus News Agency was told by UN sources that the situation in Pyla remains quiet and that UN peacekeepers patrol and closely monitor the area. The sources noted that no unauthorized actions are taking place as agreed.

According to Yenidüzen, the tension was initiated following complaints that the real estate projects carried out in 'youth blocks' crossed a land belonging allegedly to the Turkish Cypriot side. The paper cites sources and reports that the reason concerns whether or not the site of these works adjoins a military area occupied by the Turkish forces.

Head of the community council of Pyla Simos Mitides told the Cyprus News Agency that works were conducted as normal until noon today. He added that they received instructions by our authorities to stop temporarily in order to solve some problems that existed due to the disagreement of some Turkish Cypriot land owners, who believe that their plots are affected.

He explained that the plot separation is carried out by the Larnaka District administration and that everything is done in an official manner. Mitides said that they are committed to the consensus reached between the Republic of Cyprus and UNFICYP.

He said that UNFICYP told them to stop the works following an agreement with our side, as he said. He added that both sides are stopping the works until the problem is solved.

Mitides went on to say that they are within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the Republic of Cyprus and UNFICYP and he cannot say why the Turkish Cypriots are protesting about this particular issue.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

In August 2023, the Turkish Cypriot side unilaterally announced its intention to build the road through the buffer zone between the villages of Pyla and occupied Arsos. Turkish Cypriots and settlers entered the buffer zone and attacked personnel and vehicles of UNFICYP. A peacekeeper was punched in the face.

The international community, including five permanent members of the UN Security Council, condemned the attack. Later on, discussions began aiming at resolving the issue.

According to an understanding that has been reached for Pyla, a single urban development area will be created, which will ensure the harmonious coexistence of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in the area of Pyla and, will include, among other things, a large area of residential development, the paving of a road leading towards Troulloi village, the creation of photovoltaic parks and the expansion of the urban use area of the village.