NICOSIA – With lockdowns lifted on Cyprus, Turkish-Cypriots unlawfully occupying the northern third, are demanding the legitimate government on the other side open the main Ledra Street crossing in the divided capital of Nicosia.

The government closed it on March 4 along with a number of other crossings which have since been reopened to allow movement between the sides but said the main point to pass won't open yet.

The crossing points were reopened in phases in June allowing all Cypriot citizens to cross the Green Line but the movement of of non-Cypriot citizens, including EU citizens and third country nationals, is restricted, The Brussels Times reported.

Keeping the Ledra Street crossing closed is doing damage to the Turkish-Cypriot economy that has long floundered, the occupied territory seized in a 1974 invasion unrecognized by any other country and without trade.

A spokesperson of the European Commission confirmed that crossing points at the Green Line have been reopened in both directions, with the exception of the one in Ledra Street, for Cypriot citizens and all those who legally reside in Cyprus, the paper also said in its report.