The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) is monitoring the situation closely, its spokesperson Aleem Siddique has told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) invited to comment on developments with regard to the reopening of the crossing points between the government-controlled and the Turkish occupied areas of the island.
“UNFICYP is mandated to prevent tensions and maintain calm and stability in the buffer zone. The mission is monitoring the situation closely,” Siddique noted. He went on to say that “our most important priority is the safety of civilians while inside the buffer zone.”
The UNFICYP spokesperson was invited to comment on the fact that the puppet regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus allows only the enclaved and the Maronites living in the occupied areas to pass through the crossing points, while the Republic of Cyprus put into effect on Sunday the decision it took on Friday to reopen the crossing points for all Cypriot citizens and all those who legally reside in the Republic.
The Turkish Cypriot side was informed on Friday about the decision concerning the crossing points taken on the same day by the Ministerial Committee, responsible for the handling of coronavirus, which met under Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades with the Scientific Advisory Team.
Cyprus’ Interior Ministry announced on Saturay that all those who wish to cross must show a negative COVID-19 test done 72 hours prior to their crossing. Random tests will be conducted at the checkpoints. The categories who need to show a negative test, once, include:
a) Turkish Cypriot workers who must also show a certificate by their employer including their full name and social security number. Copies of certificates or electronic messages are allowed.
b) Greek Cypriot workers who permanently reside at Pyrgos Tyllirias and their jobs are in Nicosia. They need to carry a certificate by their employer with their full name and social security number. All ambulances will be allowed to pass the crossing point.
c) Turkish Cypriot students who attend school or any other academic institution in the Cyprus Republic. They are allow to cross only via Ledra Palace check point in vehicles provided by the schools/institutions.
No private vehicles will be given permission to pass. All students need to carry a certificate of attendance by the school/institution and are asked to contact their school or college/university to organize their transport.
d) Enclaved or/and Greek Cypriots and Maronites who resettled in the occupied areas
e) Cypriot citizens who live in the occupied areas and receive medical or pharmaceutical care at the Cyprus Bank Oncology Center, the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics or any other public or private clinic or hospital in the Cyprus Repubic. A medical certificate is needed by a doctor or a clinic/hospital with full name of the patient
All Cypriot citizens who are not included in the above categories and all those legally residing in the Republic are allowed to cross but they need to show a COVID-19 negative test every done 72 hours prior to their movement.
The Interior Minister can also give permission for a crossing due to humanitarian issues.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led reunification talks have so far failed to yield a positive outcome.
President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci arrived on May 21 at a mutual understanding to allow passage of certain groups of people from crossing points. People who wish to pass must show a negative COVID-19 test, to have taken place 72 hours prior to their crossing.
The “authorities” of the Turkish Cypriot puppet regime have prohibited all crossings from mid-March. On April 11 the prohibition expanded to include the diplomatic corps and members of the UN.
The Republic of Cyprus’ Cabinet had decided on February 28 to suspend the operation of four crossing points (Ledras Street, Astromeritis, Lefka and Dherynia), as a precaution against COVID-19 continuing however to allow crossing in another five crossing points taking all necessary precautions.
