Symbolic Cyprus crossing reopens



The reopening of Ledra Street comes amid a new drive for reunification


Crossing reopening


Greek and Turkish Cypriots have reopened a major crossing in the divided Cypriot capital of Nicosia.
Ledra Street, which had come to symbolise the partition of the island, was declared open by local officials.
It was split in 1964, during an outbreak of violence between the ethnic Greek and Turkish communities.
New Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed to reopen the busy shopping street last month.
Map of Nicosia


The two leaders have also agreed to resume talks on reunifying the island.
This is the first step. We hope many more will follow


Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou



Symbolic wall comes down


"We are living a historic day today," said an aide to Mr Talat, Osdil Nami, at the Ledra Street reopening on Thursday. "We are witnessing one of the obstacles to a solution come down."
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed the reopening, saying it showed that the two sides were "ready to put aside the difficulties of the past".
Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been divided since 1974, when Turkey deployed troops after a coup by Greek Cypriots who wanted union with Greece.
Ledra Street had been at the centre of the island's leading shopping district before it was blocked in the middle, with military posts either side of the dividing line.
Cyprus' government demolished a wall and military checkpoint on Ledra Street last year.
But plans to reopen the street were rejected by President Christofias' predecessor, Tassos Papadopoulos. "We still have a long way to go," said the mayor of Nicosia, Eleni Mavrou. "This is the first step. We hope many more will follow."


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7327866.stm