Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-10-14

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT LIMNITIS CROSSING POINT - OPENING

[01] PRESIDENT LIMNITIS CROSSING POINT - OPENING

Addressing the opening ceremony of the Kato Pyrgos Limnitis crossing point, Christofias stressed at the same time that ``our primary aim was and remains reaching a comprehensive solution which will completely normalize the situation and create such conditions that will enable Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to move freely in every corner of their common homeland, the united Federal Cyprus.``

``A solution that will make Cypriots the real masters of this land,`` he noted and reassured of his unwavering commitment to this vision ``which is, for me, a life target.``

Christofias noted that a difficult - and at times arduous effort comes today to a successful end. ``This day is very important primarily for the people of Kato Pyrgos and Limnitis but also for the people of the wider region. The distance and therefore the time needed to and from Nicosia is significantly shortened. The benefits will become more and more visible for all, primarily for the communities located on the road from Polis Chrysochous to Morfou and to Nicosia,`` he noted.

He said that ``the reconstruction of the road will also help in the speediest crossing of ambulances and fire trucks within the framework of the measure we have decided and which is being implemented for the past few months. I am aware that a lot remains to be done. We shall continue our efforts. This moment, let us appreciate what has been achieved,`` Christofias added.

Christofias warmly greeted and thanked the people of Pyrgos and Limnitis, the local authorities and the organized groups for the warm welcome and at the same time congratulate them for their contribution. ``I also wish to encourage them to further strengthen their joint effort,`` he said.

He noted that since 2003, when the first crossing points were opened, we saw the collapse of the propaganda of the well- known nationalist circles that the mixing of the two communities is impossible. It was proven beyond doubt that ordinary Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can and want to live together peacefully in a common homeland, Christofias said.

He made a special reference to the late Goksel Kabaran, former president of the community of Limnitis, who was one of the protagonists in the efforts to open this crossing point and expressed regret that he is not among us today to celebrate the success of this effort.

He also thanked the United Nations, the European Union as well as the Member States and Commissioner Fule personally, ``for his presence here today, as well as the Government of the United States of America which, together with the Republic of Cyprus, contributed financially and thus made possible the completion of this project.``

``I also wish to warmly thank all the anonymous protagonists of this effort, technicians, workers and all the personnel who carried out the construction works despite the difficulties and the obstacles,`` Christofias said and wished the best to the people of the area.

``I call upon them to continue on the same path of common struggle until the time we can all celebrate together the reunification of our homeland and of our people,`` he concluded.

For the past 45 years, Greek Cypriot residents in the area of Limnitis, on the northwest, have to travel to Pafos, on the western coast, and Limassol, on the south, in order to reach the capital Nicosia. The opening of the crossing will cut this journey down to under an hour.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The leaders of the two communities have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunify the island.

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