Athienou Municipality is urging the two leaders to put the opening of the Pyroi crossing back on their agenda, in a renewed appeal also addressed to the United Nations. The municipal council examined the issue at an extraordinary meeting on 11 November 2026.
In a statement reported on 12 November, the council expressed disappointment that the crossing has remained closed for 52 years. It estimates that a route from Athienou to Nicosia through Pyroi could take 8–10 minutes, compared with the 45–60 minutes it says the existing journey requires.
The municipality links the detours to additional fuel use, vehicle wear and time lost in everyday travel. It also raises the cost of students living in Nicosia and the time needed to transport emergency patients to the capital’s general hospital.
It also plans to write to the President of the Republic to arrange a meeting and receive an update on developments and the next steps. Mayor Kyriacos Kareklas described that decision in public comments on 11 November.
The council wants agreement on opening the crossing at forthcoming meetings. Its appeal does not announce an agreed opening date.
