However, the two sides have since been disagreeing over the ground rules for talks.The move would bring the number of open crossings on the divided Mediterranean island to 11, according to media in Cyprus.Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkiye invaded and seized the northern part in response to a coup instigated by the then-military government in Greece.A previous power-sharing administration of Greek and Turkish Cypriots had fallen apart in 1963, and a UN Peacekeeping Force has monitored a 180km (112-mile) ceasefire line which splits the two sides since.Only Turkiye recognises the northern part of the island as an independent republic. Ankara maintains more than 35,000 troops on Cyprus.Decades of talks have repeatedly failed to reunify Cyprus, with the last official round collapsing in 2017.
Greek Cypriots are against Ankara having any hands-on involvement; Turkish Cypriots say it is essential.Last year, the north elected its first pro-unification leader since 2020, generating renewed hope.