Athienou celebrates centenary amidst calls for Piroi crossing opening

The Municipality of Athienou marked its 100th anniversary with an event at the Nikos Mougiaris amphitheater on September 10, 2026. Attended by President Nikos Christodoulides, Archbishop Georgios, and Mayor Kyriakos Kareklas, the ceremony focused on the municipality's developmental challenges and the significant impact of the ongoing Turkish occupation, which keeps 65% of its territory and 80% of private property inaccessible.

Mayor Kareklas highlighted the reopening of the Piroi crossing as the council's primary objective, noting it would unlock major regional growth. Additionally, local officials are pursuing the establishment of University of Thessaly branches and a Dairy School in the area. President Christodoulides emphasized that the Piroi crossing, which would reduce the distance to Nicosia to approximately 12 kilometers, remains a top priority. He noted that the Greek Cypriot side had accepted a "reasonable compromise" proposal from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding the crossing, though the Turkish Cypriot side rejected it. The President confirmed he would continue to prioritize this issue during his upcoming visit to New York.