World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Cyprus leaders agree to open two new crossing points
Cyprus’s rival leaders agreed to two new crossings for vehicles across the island’s U.N.-controlled buffer zone.
The crossings will be in the island’s northwest and southeast, but no opening date has been set.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, with a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north and a Greek Cypriot south whose government is internationally recognized.
Nine crossings currently span the buffer zone, and the additions are meant to ease access for thousands of daily users.
The agreement follows months of talks between the leaders and could help restart formal peace negotiations over the island’s division.
Deep disagreements remain, including over whether Cyprus should become a federation or remain divided into two states.
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders agreed to open two new crossing points on Cyprus.
The crossings will be for vehicular traffic and are planned for the island’s northwest and southeast.
The agreement followed a meeting with a United Nations envoy in the UN-controlled buffer zone.
The move is part of efforts to build trust and resume peace talks after years of deadlock.
The leaders also discussed emergency response coordination, archival materials and possible additional crossings.
- Who
- Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman.
- What
- They agreed to open two new crossing points for vehicular traffic. They also discussed emergency responses and sharing archival materials.
- When
- Monday, November 9, 2026.
- Where
- In the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Why
- The agreement is part of a UN-backed effort to build trust and resume peace talks.
Greek Cypriot leaders
Turkish Cypriot leaders
Future arrangement for Cyprus
Greek Cypriot leaders
Greek Cypriots reject formally partitioning the island and support reunification.
Turkish Cypriot leaders
Turkish Cypriots say a federation formula has been eclipsed and that two separate states are the realistic option.
Turkey’s role after a settlement
Greek Cypriot leaders
Greek Cypriots oppose hands-on Turkish involvement and reject a permanent Turkish military presence or intervention rights.
Turkish Cypriot leaders
Turkish Cypriots say Turkey’s role is essential.
The sides had been deadlocked over resuming peace talks.
Christodoulides and Erhurman met with UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin and agreed to open two new crossing points.
The two leaders are expected to meet again in the presence of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
- New crossing points
- 2
- Location
- Northwest and southeast Cyprus
- Crossing traffic
- Vehicular
- Meeting duration
- About four hours
- Current crossings
- 9 before the agreement, according to AP
2 sources
What people are saying
We are continuing this effort with absolute seriousness and one single goal: resuming the talks before the end of the Secretary-General's term
positive
it is time to accept the reality that there are two separate peoples and two separate states on the island