Cyprus’ Turkish occupied municipalities reject any unilateral action which could help further cement faits accomplis or create new ones in violation of international law.
“The Union of Occupied Municipalities expresses its concern over Turkish announcements as regards the return of Maronites to their villages as well as reports relating to the opening up of the fenced-off part of Famagusta (known as Varosha) under `Turkish Cypriot administration`” the Committee says in a press release issued here today.
It states “its clear opposition to any unilateral actions which would contribute to cement and create new faits accomplis in violation of international law.”
Nine out of 39 municipalities of Cyprus, namely AKANTHOU, FAMAGUSTA, KARAVAS, KYRENIA, KYTHREA, LAPITHOS, LEFKONIKON, LYSI and MORPHOU, are under Turkish occupation.
On Famagusta in particular, the Union points out that the city should be opened in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789, European Parliament resolutions, European Court of Human Rights rulings and the 1977 and 1979 High Level Agreements between the leaders of the island’s two communities.
The Union expresses its support to the Municipality of Famagusta and its actions in the direction of the city`s return to the state`s lawful administration with the contribution of the United Nations as provided in the relevant UN resolutions.
It reiterates its demand that a solution of the Cyprus problem should include the right of return for all refugees to their homes in conditions of security, freedom and democracy as well as respect of their fundamental human rights.
It calls on everyone and in particular refugees to act in such a way so that unity is preserved in these crucial hours and to avoid any discord which seems to be the goal of the Turkish occupation authorities.
A decision of the Turkish army regarding the Maronite villages in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus was announced in late July. Soon after reports appeared in the Turkish Cypriot press that the fenced – off part of the city of Famagusta, known as Varosha, will be opened.
Following the Turkish invasion in 1974, the Maronites became refugees and the four Maronite villages namely Kormakitis, Karpashia, Asomatos and Agia Marina Skyllouras lie in the Turkish occupied area of the island.
With the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, the Maronites had to choose to belong either to the Greek Cypriot or the Turkish Cypriot Community. The Maronites opted to join the Greek Cypriot Community.
Varosha, part of the once thriving holiday resort of Famagusta, on the eastern coast of Cyprus, has been fenced off since the 1974 Turkish invasion and according to the UN the Turkish military is responsible for it. Repeated attempts to hand the fenced off area of Famagusta to UN administration and its Greek Cypriot legal inhabitants have so far failed due to the stance of the Turkish army.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and subsequently occupied its northern third. UN-peace talks at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana took place between June 28-July 6 but failed to reach any fruitful results. The talks, under the auspices of the UN, aim at reuniting Cyprus under a federal roof.
