The return of the fenced area of Varosha in Turkish-held Famagusta can be the ideal confidence-building measure in divided Cyprus, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has said before adding that the government will insist on this.
The proposal envisages the opening of the airport in Turkish-held Tympou and Famagusta port in exchange for the return of Varosha in Famagusta which is occupied by Ankara since its 1974 invasion.
Addressing an event in Limassol on Wednesday evening to honour the late former mayor of Famagusta, Alexis Galanos, Kasoulides also said the return of Famagusta should be and can be an ideal CBM that can pave the way for the solution of the Cyprus problem. And that Galanos was a strong supported of this.
Kasoulides then condemned recent unacceptable settlement actions by Turkey in the fenced-off town of Famagusta, in violation of international legality.
Cyprus’ demand for sanctions against Turkey over this new provocation were confronted with a negative stance by some EU member states.
UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN.
UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.
On October 8, 2020, the Turkish side opened part of the fenced area of Varosha, following an announcement made in Ankara on October 6.
Both the UN Secretary-General and the EU expressed concern, while the UN Security Council called for the reversal of this course of action.
