Recent statements by the so-called “Prime Minister” of the occupied areas Ersin Tatar in connection with Varosha are both unacceptable and condemnable. Any actions specified in the declarations being made in the occupied areas on Varosha constitute violations of agreements, but also of the resolutions of the UN on the matter.

It is clear that Turkey is repeating yet again a practice that it has been implementing for years. Whenever there is a prolonged deadlock on the Cyprus problem with responsibilities not being assigned to Turkey, the occupying power exploits the situation to create new serious fait accompli. This is what Turkey is trying to do in this case too, investing now in the fact that it has been relieved of any responsibility in relation to the failure of the Crans Montana conference, as well as the failure to breach the stalemate.

The government must act to counter Turkey’s new unacceptable machinations on Varosha. At the same time, the President of the Republic must take initiatives towards the direction of resuming negotiations, as determined by UN Secretary General Mr. Guterres.

Time is running out and the danger that the day after the final collapse of the UN initiative on the Cyprus problem will lead to such partitionist situations that unfortunately will not be reversible is very real.