US welcomes agreement on construction of Pile road in Northern Cyprus

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US welcomed news Wednesday that an "understanding was reached" regarding the construction of the Yigitler-Pile road, which will connect the Turkish Cypriot village of Pile in the island’s buffer zone with the rest of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cypress (TRNC).

"We welcome news that an understanding was reached to stabilize the Pyla/Pile plateau in Cyprus," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller wrote on X.

He said the US commends the work of the sides and the UN Cyprus mission and urges "next steps to build confidence."

"We remain supportive of the designation of a UN Envoy to help resume negotiations," he added.

The TRNC Foreign Ministry) said Monday that an agreement between the TRNC and the UN Peacekeeping Force was reached regarding the construction of the Yigitler-Pile road.

UN peacekeepers intervened Aug. 18 in the construction of the road.

Turkish residents in the village said construction is strategically important as it will give them more options to reach Pile, where Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots live together.

The Greek Cypriot administration, however, is opposed to the project.

Türkiye also welcomed the agreement.