Tillyria residents express frustration over delayed Kokkina checkpoint opening

Residents and community leaders of the Tillyria region in Cyprus have expressed significant frustration and disappointment regarding the continued closure of the Kokkina checkpoint. Nikos Kleanthous, the community leader of Kato Pyrgos, stated that the region has remained isolated for 62 years, with the local population feeling ignored by the government despite previous assurances from President Nikos Christodoulides that the Kokkina crossing would be prioritized over other new checkpoints. The dissatisfaction deepened following the recent agreement between President Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman to open two other crossing points at Kampos-Karavostasi and Louroujina.

Local leaders are now calling for a formal meeting with the President to address the region's long-standing isolation and to explore alternative infrastructure solutions to ensure the economic and social survival of the community. While an emergency meeting was requested, it did not take place due to the President's schedule. Instead, the matter is officially slated for discussion during a pre-scheduled meeting between the President and the Tillyria community leaders on November 19, 2026. During this session, the representatives intend to push for concrete actions to end the area's dependency and to demand that the government upholds its prior commitments to the region.