Nicosia barrier to be dismantled

PanARMENIAN.Net - Rival sides on divided Cyprus were preparing to dismantle a poignant symbol of half a century of division in a move diplomats hope will improve the climate for new peace talks.



Greek and Turkish Cypriot authorities said they would start work from Monday, removing a barrier from the main commercial district of Nicosia that has split the United Nations-patrolled medieval city into two since 1958.



"If everything goes to plan we could expect the road to reopen March 31, or possibly April 2 or 3," Greek Cypriot town mayor Eleni Mavrou said, Reuters reports.



The decision was taken by Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and leader of Turkish Cypriots Mehmet Ali Talat on March 21.



Cyprus was partitioned after a Turkish invasion in 1974, which came shortly after a Greek Cypriot coup backed by the military junta ruling Greece at the time.



Shortly before joining the European Union in 2004 the Greek Cypriots rejected a United Nations plan to reunify the island.