The Mayor of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta Alexis Galanos has received reassurances by Kati Piri, (S&D Netherlands MEP), Turkey`s pre-accession rapporteur for the European Parliament, that a call for the return of the town will be part of her annual report, due out later this year.

Galanos met Piri during a three day visit to Brussels where he exchanged views with EU Commissioner Christos Stylianides, the President of the EP petitions committee, GUE chair Gabi Zimmer, the Cypriot MEPs and EPP “shadow rapporteur” on Turkey`s EU accession Renate Sommers. Galanos told the press in Brussels that “shadow rapporteur” Sommers agrees with the inclusion of the Famagusta case in the EP report.

He told a press conference,”Mrs. Piri is always positive and has always kept her word.” The Mayor noted that the European Parliament`s rapporteur “understands the humanitarian significance of the Famagusta issue and the legal significance of the resolutions and decisions of the UN Security Council.”

“The first that should implement these resolutions is the UN Secretary-General,” he said, clarifying that he refers to resolutions 550 and 689 and stressing that “the S.G.has to put more effort.”

Replying to a question, he said Renate Sômmer, on behalf of the European People`s Party, is equally supportive. He noted, however, that “there is a tiredness, because the Cyprus problem is going on for years, we are all tired of Turkish intransigence.”

Asked to say what he expects from a visit of the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament to Cyprus and their attempt to see Famagusta, in early May, Galanos said that “the fact that the Committee on Petitions visits Cyprus, with a mission involving 8 MEPs, from initially 2 who had been involved, is important” and explained how equally important is that they intend to draft a report and bring the matter to the plenary.

He recalled that “there are already decisions by the European Parliament”, adding that “the matter has been referred to the Council of the Member States, so we expect results, but this depends on Turkey.”

“Now we expect the procedures to lead to some implementation of past decisions,” he said adding that “the new report by the  Committee cannot be different, it will be at least the same. The goal is a viable and functional solution,” he said.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The town of Famagusta remains fenced off since 1974 and under the direct control of the Turkish military.

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