Averof Neofytou: "Closing checkpoints a strategic mistake"

Former President of the Democratic Rally party, Averof Neofytou, intervened following reactions to the arrests of Greek Cypriots in the occupied territories, stressing that closing the checkpoints would be a "strategic mistake with incalculable costs."

Mr. Neofytou emphasizes that such a decision would consolidate the division and reinforce the narrative of the other side for two states. He characteristically states that closing the checkpoints would offer "a great victory on a platter" to those seeking division, consolidating the logic of partition within and outside Cyprus.

Furthermore, he warns that closing the checkpoints could lead to the reinstatement of the regulation for direct trade and flights from the EU, something that the Republic of Cyprus has refused for decades. He concludes by calling for calm and prudence, stressing that "the Cyprus issue is not resolved with punitive actions that trap us even more."