Tillyria communities protest potential replacement of Kokkina crossing

Local authorities in the Tillyria region and the municipality of Polis Chrysochous expressed strong discontent on November 6, 2026, regarding reports that the planned opening of the Kokkina border crossing may be abandoned. Officials suggest that a new crossing point in the Kampos area is being proposed to the Turkish side as a substitute, a move they characterize as a retreat from explicit promises made by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides.

Local leaders, including the head of the Tillyria community cluster, Nikos Kleanthous, emphasized that President Christodoulides had previously given both public and private assurances that no new border crossings would be approved without first prioritizing the opening of the Kokkina gate. For these communities, the opening of Kokkina is viewed as a vital matter of regional development, social cohesion, and the end of long-standing geographic isolation.

In response to these developments, the local authorities have stated that they do not accept any new agreement that bypasses or replaces the Kokkina crossing. The community leaders are currently in consultations with the municipality of Polis Chrysochous to discuss potential dynamic protest measures should the reports of an alternative arrangement be confirmed.