Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman agreed Monday to open two new border crossings on the divided island of Cyprus, marking the first such expansion in nearly a decade.

The leaders met for several hours in the UN-controlled buffer zone near Nicosia with UN special envoy Maria Angela Holguin. They approved simultaneous openings at the Louroujina-Lymbia and Kampos-Karavostasi points, bringing the total number of crossings to 11. The measures also include coordination on emergency responses, sharing archival materials through cultural heritage committees, and environmental projects.

The UN described the session as positive. The leaders will hold further talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the coming weeks. This step follows months of discussions on confidence-building measures aimed at resuming formal peace negotiations stalled since 2017.

Current crossings have faced long vehicle lines, and the new points in the southeast and northwest are expected to ease daily movement for residents. The agreement stems in part from a list of proposals submitted by the Greek Cypriot side. Discussions on additional crossings, including Athienou-Aglantzia, continue without resolution.

The development comes amid ongoing differences over the framework for full talks, including the role of Turkey in any future settlement. Turkish Cypriots have long emphasized the need for Ankara's involvement, while Greek Cypriots prefer bilateral approaches under the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus. Monday's accord focuses on practical improvements rather than resolving core political disputes.

Holguin had previously warned both sides of the risks of inaction. The new crossings represent incremental progress that could sustain momentum toward broader dialogue before the end of Guterres' term.