Cyprus Times

Erhurman on Crossing Points: Leaders Unable to Solve Simple Issue, Unlikely to Resolve Core Cyprus Problem

Published February 14, 2026, 12:08
Erhurman on Crossing Points: Leaders Unable to Solve Simple Issue, Unlikely to Resolve Core Cyprus Problem

Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman expressed disappointment over the standstill in the issue of opening new crossing points and improving existing ones, characterizing the problem as simple yet unresolved. He believes that if the leaders cannot find a solution to such a straightforward issue, it is unlikely they will reach an agreement on the core of the Cyprus problem. Erhurman raised the issue with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during their meeting in New York, highlighting the problems faced by citizens at existing crossing points, particularly at Agios Dometios. Proposals for new crossing points in Mia Milia, Louroujina and Pyroi were discussed. Erhurman stated that the issue of new crossings should not be used as a means to achieve political, military, or economic advantages, as increased crossings could negatively affect the economy of the occupied territories, but the priority should be to facilitate daily life and contact between the two communities. Regarding the Agios Dometios crossing point, Erhurman mentioned that the widening works on the Turkish Cypriot side have been completed and he is awaiting the completion of the corresponding works on the Greek Cypriot side, as well as the installation of an adequate number of booths and personnel for control, as agreed with President Christodoulides. Furthermore, there is a delay in the implementation of facilitating the issuance of vehicle documents at the Deryneia and Astromeritis crossing points.