Lefke TRNC is no longer the "Dead End" town: Opening of Aplıç check-point.

UNSG’s Special Advisor on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide’s announcement last week after the leaders meeting, had some exciting news for the people of Lefka, who have been waiting for the Aplic check-point to be opened for decades.

Located on the Northwest Coast of Cyprus, Lefke and especially the central town has been suffering from being surrounded by the Green Line and was dubbed as “the dead end” by its residents.

Despite the opening of the European University of Lefke University over 20 years ago, ever increasing unemployment rate brought rapid migration from the town to Nicosia and abroad.

Civil societies active in Lefke had one major common cause for many decades and that was the opening of the Aplic check-point. These demands were actually first vocalized in 1990s, almost a decade before the opening of the first check-point at Ledra Palace in 2003.

Since then people have been waiting impatiently for the Aplıç check-point to be opened to give life to Lefke, and to turn it back to how it was pre 1974, crowded and vibrant.

Kıbrıs Postası spoke to the people on the streets of Lefke after the two leaders announced that Aplıç check-point will be opened alongside Derinya check-point.

Most of the people we spoke to, were thrilled by the news and said that they were hoping their town would be lively again, preventing the younger generation from looking for better life away from their hometown.

Businesses have already began to order signs in Greek and English, getting ready for the long pursued increase in tourism with  visitors from south Cyprus. “We hope all check-point will be opened soon. Bur for now I can say that opening of Aplıç check-point wont only benefit us but will also create easier access to Greek Cypriots who live in the villages on Trodos Mountains and we need to see more steps which will help both communities” said one resident.

Credit: KP Daily News