“Checkpoints cannot be treated like a game,” declared Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, speaking of “unilateral actions” which, in his words, create uncertainty and undermine trust between the two communities.
In statements to the Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kıbrıs, Mr Tatar said the situation at the checkpoints had caused “concern and uncertainty” in the Turkish Cypriot community. “No one has the right to create uncertainty for our people,” he said, adding that such incidents risk deepening mistrust even further.
“The crossing points are bilateral and concern both sides. For any arrangement or work that is to be carried out, prior notification is essential. Otherwise, unnecessary tensions arise,” he said.
Mr Tatar also stated that crossing points should serve the building of trust, not become a field of crises. He further noted that at a time when efforts are being made in consultation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres for the opening of new crossing points, moves that complicate the operation of existing ones or cause misunderstandings should be avoided, as he put it.
Ersin Tatar appealed to President Nikos Christodoulides to show greater sensitivity. “The aim must be the development of co-operation and a culture of collaboration. The Greek Cypriot leader (Nikos) Christodoulides must be more sensitive on these matters and avoid practices that lead to misunderstandings,” he concluded.
Özersay: Crossing right remains, but delays exist
The leader of the People’s Party, Kudret Özersay, stated that the right of passage is not being restricted in relation to the new procedures at the checkpoints, but noted that the requirement to present additional documents or information – even if only once – is already causing a slowdown and delays.
In a post on social media, Mr Özersay pointed to a contradiction between statements from the Greek Cypriot side that “nothing has changed” and the official clarification given by the Police Press Office to the Cyprus News Agency. According to that clarification, the “only change” concerns the recording of “some additional information” for those presenting “identity cards” issued in the occupied areas, within the framework of “updating the IT systems and renewing the data” concerning Turkish Cypriots and their families.
“Therefore, there is a change, something new that was not happening until yesterday,” the Turkish Cypriot politician said. However, he clarified that this does not mean those with the right of passage will lose it. “The right of passage does not change, but it is confirmed that additional documents or information are being requested,” he explained, estimating that if this is being done to update the database, it is logically a one-off procedure.
Nevertheless, he warned that “even if it is done only once, it is expected to cause, for a time, a slowdown and problems at the crossings.”
Finally, Mr Özersay stated that regardless of the reason – whether this is preparation for joining the Schengen zone or something else – an “additional burden” has arisen during passage. “Even if it applies only once, it means an extra difficulty or, at the very least, delay at the checkpoints,” he concluded.
Also read: Tatar blames Christodoulides’ stance for checkpoints deadlock
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Source: CNA
