The Deryneia and Aplikio crossing points should be opened as soon as possible, said Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, expressing the view that in order for this to happen, work must be intensified on both sides.
Mr. Akinci after the visit and information that happened in the area of Deryneia about the progress of the works for the opening of the roadblock there yesterday visited the area of Apliki, where he was informed about the course of the works.
According to today's publications in the Turkish Cypriot press, in his statements Mr. Akinci stated that the decision to open the Deryneia and Aplikio roadblocks was taken a year ago at the political level, at first several problems were encountered, which took time to treated.
He added that "UNDP has completed the work assigned to it, we have reached the bidding phase and these have been confirmed and work has begun, but despite the work that has been done, it seems that there is still much to be done."
Mr. Akinci also mentioned that the Turkish side has completed the work for the widening of the road for about one kilometer and will be asphalted within days and then there is a distance of about 500 meters, which is in the dead zone and will done together.
He also said that the Greek Cypriot side must complete works related to 2,5 km of road, while there are still points for the accommodation of the "police" and the "customs" for which it will take time, as he said.
Regarding the roadblock of Deryneia, he said that the asphalting of the road will be completed in the next 3-5 days and added that “during the visit yesterday in the area (Deryneia) I was informed about the works, while the distance for which the e / k side it has to work, it is smaller than in Apliki, while the police and customs accommodation points need to be built there as well ”.
He went on to say that within the next few days he will convene a meeting with all the "competent" in order to better coordinate the work but also to expedite it.
The opening of the two roadblocks will have a positive impact on both sides, Mr. Akinci noted, according to the publication, adding that "the residents of the two areas are asking for this. In order to open them, the works on both sides must be completed soon ".
"The e / k side must also intensify its work. "And our side should intensify and complete them, since for this purpose there has already been a budget regarding the offers", he said, adding that such works are not completed in meetings but with work, something he understood better during the visits he made to the two areas.
"We all have our duty to carry out," he said, adding that a comprehensive effort must be made, as "president" but also by the "mayors", the "competent government departments" and all those involved in the project.
Referring to the Greek Cypriot side, he said that the Greek Cypriot side must also fulfill its responsibilities for the completion of the works at the two roadblocks, adding that it also observes a delay on the part of Greek Cypriots.
He also said that he does not want to give a date on which the works will be completed and that if he says that within two - three months these roadblocks will open "then my position will not be realistic".
Source: KYPE