Cyprus inches closer to reunification as symbolic wall is razed[de] 

As the Cyprus Greek National Guard razed this symbol of a three-decade long division between the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot South and a Turkish Cypriot North recognised only by Turkey, Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, challenged Turkey to respond by withdrawing its troops from the area. 

"We pulled down a checkpoint on our side today. So, now we will see. Will the Turkish troops withdraw so the passage would be open or not?" he asked. 

The area will remain off-limits to civilians for security reasons until the Turkish army evacuates. If a deal is reached, Europe's last divided capital, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, will be a small step closer to reunification, although the 180-kilometre 'green line' will continue to divide the rest of the island. 

"This is extremely symbolic...The dynamism created by this move will lead to the opening of the crossing," said Rasit Pertev, chief adviser to Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. 

The unilateral move was timed as European leaders gathered in Brussels for the EU Spring Summit and appears to be part of fresh efforts to open up trade between the two sides and to strike a lasting peace deal. Greek Cypriots voted against a UN reunification plan shortly before joining the EU in 2004. 

The current situation remains a major stumbling block to Turkey's EU accession aspirations. 

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed the move, saying: "I urge all parties concerned to use the momentum created by this courageous decision...This would be a major symbolic step forward in bringing both communities in Nicosia closer together. It would also encourage the necessary efforts aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem under the UN auspices." 

The Commission has announced that it has earmarked more than €100,000 to finance stabilisation works at the crossing point.