REMOVING PHYSICAL BARRIES IS NOT ENOUGH; WE MUST ALSO TEAR DOWN THE BARRIES IN OUR MINDS
The long-awaited breakthrough on opening new crossing points in Cyprus has finally come. The two leaders have announced an agreement to open the Akıncılar (Louroujna) –Lympia and and Gemikonağı ( Karavostasi –Kombos) crossings, a development welcomed by people on both sides of the island who have been waiting for progress on this issue for years. Until just a few days ago, however, there was little reason to expect such an outcome. Even so, we are now entitled to say that something is better than nothing. That said, the crossings will not open overnight. It is likely to take considerable time before they become operational. Over the weekend, Maria Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, openly criticised the two leaders in comments to the press. Judging by the outcome of their latest meeting, her criticism may have produced at least some results. Several positive developments were announced following the trilateral meeting, perhaps to ensure that H...