GREEK and Turkish Cypriot municipal officials met yesterday to make sure everything was in place for the expected opening of Ledra Street once the two leaders give the green light, Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou said.

Mavrou said that as soon as President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat make the political decision to open the crossing point, it will take only four or five days to set in motion.

“We had a meeting between both sides to make sure everything is ready for whenever the political decision is taken,” Mavrou told the Cyprus Mail yesterday. “After that, it will take four of five days and Ledra can be opened.”

Asked if the preparations were being made on the assumption that the crossing would be opened shortly, Mavrou said she was optimistic.

“Most of the political problems have been solved. Now it’s up to them [the two leaders] to take the decision,” she added.

Mavrou said even though a lot of work still needed to be done to make safe the crossing area, which is littered with derelict buildings, this would not impede an early opening.

“The work on the buildings will take much longer,” said Mavrou.

“We are working on a two-phase plan for the support of the buildings. To complete these works will take three of four months, but it will not interfere with the opening of the street.”

There has been speculation for days that the issue of the Ledra Street crossing would be one of the first things Christofias and Talat would discuss when they meet. A meeting between the two leaders is in the pipeline and the opening of Ledra would be a first step in showing good will for the resumption of talks at a later date.

The saga of the Ledra Street crossing has been going on since December 2004 when it was hoped it would open in time for Christmas that year. However, three years later, despite the fact that both sides had torn down the walls on their respective sides, neither side could agree on the presence of Turkish troops in the area.

Outgoing President Tassos Papadopoulos refused to agree to any opening unless Turkish troops were completely removed from the area.

A Perspex glass barrier was substituted for the brick wall and the issue of Turkish troops was handed over to UNFICYP to resolve. With the new hope generated by the election of Christofias, it is hoped the problem will now be resolved more quickly.

Both Greek and Turkish Cypriot media have been full of speculation this week that the first thing Christofias and Talat will agree to will be the opening of the crossing point.

One report said the two leaders had already agreed on the phone that the move would go ahead within the next few weeks. Turkish Cypriot newspaper Afrika said the two men had also said they would be there on the day the crossing is opened.

Talat is due to meet Moller tomorrow.