Greek Cypriots are demolishing their part of the wall, since the authorities of the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus dismantled the wall on their side back in 2005, and on January 9 of this year – the disputed bridge connecting the main street of Nicosia, Ledra.
The authorities of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have already called the dismantling of the wall a "positive event." "This wall could not stand there forever. Its removal by the Greek Cypriots is a positive event, and we will continue to make efforts aimed at solving the problem," said the prime minister of the Northern Cyprus government, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, who is on a visit to London, in a telephone interview with BRT television.
The island's capital was divided into two parts by the so-called "Green Line" ceasefire in 1974, after the Turkish invasion of the island. It cuts in half the medieval city, built in a circular shape by the Crusaders. Almost all the houses on the ceasefire line in the historic center of Nicosia have been in ruins for the last 30 years. On both sides of the "Green Line," combat patrols of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are on duty around the clock, separated by UN peacekeepers.
For three decades, the ceasefire line was absolutely impenetrable for the island's residents. However, since 2004, Cypriots have been allowed to cross the border under certain conditions. At the same time, the island remains de facto divided. The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the EU, while residents of the unrecognized TRNC are outside the European Union. An international embargo also applies to the north of the island.