Charalambos Prountzos, Mayor of Nicosia, will meet María Ángela Holguín, the personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Cyprus, on 9 November to discuss issues affecting the divided capital.
Speaking to Politis Radio, Prountzos said he would present proposals developed jointly with Turkish Cypriot mayor Mehmet Harmancı, focusing on the walled city of Nicosia and areas within the buffer zone.
Joint proposals for the buffer zone
Prountzos said the proposals have already been discussed with President Nicos Christodoulides and appear to have been received positively.
While declining to disclose details, he indicated that there is scope for specific interventions within the buffer zone of the old city.
The mayor added that the matter has also been raised with the European Union and expressed confidence that meaningful progress could be achieved.
Criticism over delays to crossing points
Prountzos argued that efforts to open new crossing points have moved too slowly and could have been handled more effectively.
He suggested that greater use could have been made of the presence of António Guterres as UN Secretary-General before the end of his term.
While acknowledging the logic of reciprocity in negotiations over crossing points, he said a different approach might have been possible given that the issue has become linked to the resumption of talks and the convening of a broader conference on the Cyprus problem.
"The goal is not simply to restart negotiations," he said. "The goal is to solve the Cyprus problem."
He added that, after a decade without substantive negotiations, a bolder approach is needed.
Pressure remains at Agios Dometios
The mayor reiterated that the Agios Dometios crossing continues to create significant traffic congestion despite improvement works.
Referring to proposed new crossing points, he highlighted Mia Milia and Pyroi, noting that the latter is connected to the Aglantzia area within the Municipality of Nicosia.
He stressed, however, that responsibility for crossing-point negotiations lies solely with the President of the Republic and said he had no information regarding a possible agreement on a Kaimakli crossing.
State Fair site redevelopment
Prountzos also called for government decisions on the proposed transformation of the former Cyprus State Fair Grounds into a Metropolitan Park of Creation.
He said the municipality's vision is for a large urban park with strong woodland characteristics, with buildings occupying only about 10% of the site's 250,000 square metres.
Plans also include a stormwater retention lake aimed at helping address flooding problems in Engomi.
The mayor said an architect has already been appointed, in cooperation with the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK), to prepare specifications for an architectural competition.
He expressed frustration over delays in a Cabinet decision that would formally appoint the Municipality of Nicosia as manager of the site.
Defends Old GSP Square tender
Responding to criticism over the leasing of five commercial units at Old GSP Square, Prountzos rejected suggestions that tender conditions had been tailored to benefit specific bidders.
He said the competition was open and argued that unified management of the premises was necessary because of the site's particular characteristics and the need for coordinated operation.
The units are expected to become operational during 2027, following significant private investment in their fit-out and development.
