UN hails Agios Dometios–Metehan Crossing upgrade as ‘concrete step forward’
The expansion of the Agios Dometios/Metehan crossing point was highlighted on Thursday during a brief ceremony attended by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives, along with officials from the United Nations and international partners.
Speaking at the event, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of UNFICYP, Khassim Diagne, said that tangible improvements to civilian infrastructure represent concrete steps forward, helping to build trust and improve the daily lives of all Cypriots. Diagne also delivered remarks on behalf of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín.
The ceremony underscored the importance of practical, day-to-day cooperation as part of ongoing confidence-building measures across the island.
SRSG Diagne was joined at the pedestrian walkway of the crossing by Greek Cypriot Negotiator Menelaos Menelao and Turkish Cypriot Special Representative Mehmet Dânâ. Also in attendance were the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Coordinators of the Technical Committees, Co-Chairs of the Technical Committee on Crossings, and representatives from the UN Good Offices Mission, UNFICYP, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the European Union.
The event followed a technical briefing by UNDP outlining the project’s scope and remaining work. Funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP in close coordination with the Technical Committee on Crossings, the long-awaited project aims to improve the infrastructure and capacity of the crossing point, facilitating increased movement and contact between the two communities.
