NICOSIA’S divided Ledra Street has been reunited… in cyberspace, with the launch yesterday of a website offering information and promotions from both north and south.
The official launch was made yesterday morning at the Ledra Street barricades and was addressed by the European Commission Representation to Cyprus Adriaan van der Meer, Nicosia’s Greek Cypriot Mayor Michalakis Zambelas and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Kutlay Erk. The initiative is aimed at increasing trade between the two communities.
The website, www.e-ledra.com, offers internet users information on shops, unique product offerings and promotions, restaurants, museums, transportation and information on how to cross from south to north and vice versa. The website, which has been launched by the Cyprus Federation of Professional Craftsmen and shopkeepers (POVEK) and the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Shopkeepers and Artisans (KTEZO), also has an active map to browse streets, while users can even buy online.
The aim of e-Ledra, the site’s promoters say, is to “re-unite Ledra Street in the virtual world of the Internet. The virtual Ledra Street will have a presence in cyberspace without barriers and with equal access by both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriots, tourists, as well as the world at large.”
The website highlights Ledra Street, Onasagorou Street, connecting streets and paved Laiki Yitonia from the Greek Cypriot side and Girne Caddesi and the triangular area formed by Mecidiye Sokak, Arasta Sokak and Girne Caddesi from the Turkish Cypriot side.
The European Commission Representation to Cyprus Adriaan van der Meer told the Cyprus Mail that he hoped the website would be first step to even more trade between the two communities and also called on Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Mehmet Ali Talat to respond to calls to open up Ledra Street.
“I believe it shows very good intent from both of the shopkeeper associations of the two communities to venture into this website. I believe that it is a good first step towards trade between the two communities and I call on Mr Talat to open up Ledra Street from the north so it can link up with Ledra Street from the south.
“Another aim should be to furnish the passing of Ledra Street which has been sealed off in the buffer zone for so many years whereas the fixing up of the broken down houses should also become a goal.”
n www.e-ledra.com
