Turkish occupied north Cyprus is moving to reopen the city of Varosha for settlement.
The sudden development was reported by Turkish Daily Sabah.
“The Council of Ministers will evaluate the conditions for action in Varosha, which is legally a military zone in the TRNC,” “deputy prime minister” and “foreign minister” Kudret Özersay said, according to the newspaper.
Ozersay said that the occupied north will coordinate its actions with Ankara, adding that a team of experts will visit Varosha to make a list of movable and immovable property in the city.
“Steps will be taken for an expert team to begin a scientific study. The team will look into the land registry records in Varosha, the condition of movable and immovable properties. The results of the study will shape our policy,” he said.
“As a result of the study we will decide on the next steps without prejudice to the former residents of Varosha,” Ozersay added.
He also spoke about the Maronite village of Karpasia. In this week, he said, contracts will be signed so some of the village’s current residents can move to other locations. This way around 10-15 homes will be be returned to Maronites.
Varosha, the southern quarter of Famagusta has been abandoned since 1974 and remains under Turkish occupation. Entry to the public is forbidden.
Before it was one of the most important tourism centres of Cyprus.
