Averof: calls to close Cyprus checkpoints would play into Turkey’s hands

Former Disy leader Averof Neophytou has denounced calls to close the crossing points, cautioning on Wednesday that such a move could create new political problems for the Republic and hand Turkey an argument to revive the issue of direct trade with the north.

Neophytou said closing the checkpoints from the government-controlled areas could allow the Turkish side to argue in Brussels that the Republic was restricting movement across the Green Line, potentially reopening a debate that Nicosia...