Athienou mayor expresses disappointment over delay in opening Pyroi crossing

Residents and officials in Athienou, Cyprus, have expressed significant disappointment following the failure of Monday's trilateral meeting—involving President Nikos Christodoulides, the Turkish Cypriot leader, and UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin—to announce the opening of the Pyroi crossing. The local community had high expectations for the announcement, with local media and officials characterizing the opening as nearly certain prior to the summit.

The opening of the road between Athienou and Aglantzia has been a long-standing demand for 52 years. Mayor Kyriakos Kareklas noted that the crossing would reduce travel time to Nicosia from approximately one hour to just ten minutes, offering vital relief to residents, students, and workers. The failure to include the crossing in the recent agreements has left the town feeling isolated, despite broader discussions regarding new transit points.

While expressing regret, the municipal authorities remain hopeful for a positive outcome in the coming weeks. The issue is expected to be raised during upcoming discussions between the leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In response to the developments, the Athienou municipal council has scheduled an extraordinary meeting for Wednesday at 19:00 to discuss the situation and determine future steps.