Turkish Cypriot daily alleges that the occupied closed city of Varosha is about to be returned to its legal Greek Cypriot owners

Under the title “Is Varosha being returned”, Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis (17.08.11) reports that according to some allegations the occupied fenced city of Varosha is about to be returned to its legal Greek Cypriot owners and that secret bargaining is being held on this issue.

Citing a reliable source, the paper writes that the bargaining on Varosha continues full speed and it will soon come to light. Recalling information published in the Greek Cypriot press regarding agreement reached between the sides for holding a conference on the Cyprus problem similar to the one held on the Palestinian problem in Camp David, the paper reports that the source argued that with the move regarding Varosha the Turkish side will corner the Greek side and it will be strengthened so much that the Greek side will not be able to cope with it.

The source said that the target is for the two sides to hold a conference in New York in the end of October or in the beginning of November the latest after the completion of the ongoing intensified negotiations, and to reach a framework agreement and find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem with an international conference which will be held before the end of the year. The same source alleged that the agreement which will be reached will be submitted to referendum in the first months of 2012.

The source noted that in return for the opening of Varosha, the illegal Tymvou airport and the occupied Famagusta port will open to international flights and trade under the administration of the EU or the UN. It also said that the withdrawal of the lawsuits of the Greek Cypriots at the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey regarding Varosha is on the agenda, but no definite agreement exists on this issue.

The paper writes that it expects from the “officials” to make a clear statement on these issues.