Checkpoint protest planned

GREEK and Turkish Cypriot organisations in favour of the opening of the checkpoints last night decided to hold a peaceful demonstration outside Nicosia on September 11, the date of the next meeting between the two community leaders.

Spokesmen for the organisations met last night in Astromeritis and decided to intensify their efforts for the opening of more checkpoints, especially following the recent refusal by the Turkish Cypriot leadership to allow Greek Cypriots entry into Morphou through the Limnitis checkpoint.

“We will continue the fight and in a more intense way,” said Andreas Karos, the president of the Coordinated Committee for the opening of checkpoints. “We decided in tonight’s conference to go ahead with a protest in a peaceful demonstration, at the entrance of Nicosia Airport on September 11,” he added.

Greek and Turkish Cypriots expressed their support towards President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat’s negotiations.

They pointed out that the opening of checkpoints helps in efforts to rebuild trust between the two communities.