Cyprus leaders agree on two new vehicle crossings across buffer zone

The short version

• Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders agreed Monday to open two new vehicle crossings along the U.N.-controlled buffer zone.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]
• The buffer zone has nine crossings along its 180-kilometer length, and Cypriot media say the deal would raise the total to 11.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]
• The two new crossings will launch simultaneously, but no opening date has been set.[Associated Press]
• Turkey, which keeps more than 35,000 troops on the island, and Turkish Cypriots say only two separate states are realistic.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]

Key facts

• Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders agreed on Monday to open two new vehicle crossing points along the U.N.-controlled buffer zone.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]
• The leaders met with U.N. envoy María Ángela Holguín in the buffer zone on Monday before reaching the agreement.[Al Jazeera]
• There are currently nine crossing points along the 180-kilometer length of the buffer zone.[Associated Press]
• Cypriot media say the agreement would bring the number of open crossings on the divided island to 11.[Al Jazeera]
• The two new crossing points are set to launch simultaneously, and it is not yet clear when they will open.[Associated Press]
• Turkey maintains more than 35,000 troops on Cyprus.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]
• Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots say the U.N.-endorsed federation formula has been eclipsed and that only two separate states would be realistic.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Ethnically split Cyprus’ rival leaders agree to 2 more crossings across island’s dividing lineAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press
• Cyprus rivals agree new crossings across island’s dividing lineAl Jazeera