Crossings in Cyprus: 23 Years After Opening, No New Gate Since 2018

Between 1974 and 2003, only very limited crossings were possible through the Ledra Palace, Beyarmudu and Akyar checkpoints. Following the 2003 decision, a new period began that directly affected daily life between the two communities.

The first reciprocal crossings took place on 23 April 2003 at the Ledra Palace Crossing Point. Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots were able to cross to the other side for the first time after many years.

Initially open to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic, Ledra Palace was later restricted to pedestrian crossings only following the opening of the Metehan Crossing Point on 10 May 2003. Between 2003 and 2018, new crossing points were gradually opened.

The most recent crossings were opened in 2018, following an agreement between then Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis, when the Derinya crossing in Famagusta and the Aplıç crossing in Lefke were brought into service simultaneously.

This opening marked the first new crossing points implemented after 2010, increasing the total number of crossing points from 7 to 9.

However, no new crossing points have been opened since 2018. This marks a period in which, for the first time during the tenure of Ersin Tatar, no new crossings were established.

If no new crossing point is opened in 2026, the period from 2018 onwards will become the longest “no new crossings” period, reaching 9 years.

Ongoing debates over new crossing points

The issue of new crossing points remains one of the most contentious topics at leader level. Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides argues that any new crossing point should not be seen as benefiting only Turkish Cypriots, but should also contribute to the daily lives of both communities. He has suggested that routes such as Kaymaklı or Mia Milia should be considered together with alternative corridors that would also provide direct benefits to Greek Cypriots.

In response, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman has argued that the view that a crossing point such as Mia Milia would benefit only Turkish Cypriots is not convincing, noting that in today’s economic conditions, flows largely move towards the south. He has proposed Haspolat and the Kiracıköy–Eğlence route, while also stating that new demands could complicate the current process and that they do not want to “pour water on already cooked food.”

Although progress was achieved in March 2025 in Geneva on the opening of four new crossing points, the process has slowed due to disagreements at the implementation stage and differing priorities between the sides.