Harmancı Calls for a New Vehicular Crossing Point in Nicosia

The main agenda of the meeting was the evaluation of new potential crossing points in Nicosia. The inspection tour included the participation of teams from the Nicosia Master Plan, focusing on historical buildings in urgent need of preservation and essential infrastructure work to mitigate flood risks. Mayor Harmancı highlighted that the buffer zone, which bears the painful remnants of wartime and holds examples of shared cultural heritage dating back nearly a millennium, has also become a natural habitat due to years of abandonment. He stressed that any new initiatives and collaborations involving the buffer zone must take these factors into account.

“A New Vehicular Crossing Should Not Be Conditional on Demands from Other Regions”

Harmancı pointed out that for years, the opening of a new vehicular crossing in Nicosia has been contingent on the Greek Cypriot leadership’s demands for new crossing points in other areas. He asserted that such preconditions are unacceptable for Nicosia and expressed hope that this stance would change in the current environment of renewed negotiations.

While voicing his support for all potential new crossings, Harmancı underscored the critical need for a new vehicular crossing in Nicosia to facilitate movement and ease urban traffic. He also suggested that allowing limited vehicular crossings at Ledra Palace, especially for citizens who frequently cross for education and healthcare purposes, should be considered. He called for Colin Stewart’s proactive involvement in this matter.

Mayor Harmancı is set to meet with President Ersin Tatar on Monday, November 18, at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the agenda of new crossing points.