Green Line in Cyprus Is Crossed; Turks and Greeks Are Pleased

Cemal Akici, crossing to over to the Greek part of the island, said that he would visit his grandparents’ grave in the Greek part of Lefkosa (Nicosia). He added: "I will not stay too long on the Greek side. I will be back in two or three hours."

Some of the Turks crossing to Greek Cyprus said they were going to see the places where they had been born and spent their first years, while others said they wanted to search for jobs. Contrary to previously voiced fears, the Turks did not rush to the border gate, a fact that did not escape notice.

The freedom of movement policy was put into practice for the first time in the morning hours of yesterday through the Ledra Palas border gate. The European Union and some foreign missions in Cyprus as well as the Turkish Cypriots were pleased; however the event reportedly caused some uneasiness on the Greek side.

Cihan News Agency, aa / Lefkosa (Nicosia), Washington / CYPRUS, USA