“The real choices for the future of Cyprus should be choices of pragmatism and should be based on long-term goals and principles for which we will be accountable for before the international community”, pledged President of the Republic Demetris Christofias.
In a speech during the anti-occupation rally at Dherynia in the Famagusta district, marking the 38th anniversary since the seizure of the town by the Turkish troops in the summer of 1974, President Christofias said Famagusta can and should constitute, as it was before, a bridge of peace, cooperation and cohabitation. This can only happen when Turkey decides to set aside threats and insults and re-enter the dialogue it abandoned.
He said the Turkish aim is to use Famagusta as a negotiating paper in various efforts to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem, noting that in this way, Turkey flagrantly violates the High Level Agreement of 1979 which sets as a priority achieving a solution and immediately implementing it, for the re-settlement of Famagusta by its lawful habitants.
Turkey further provocatively ignores the clear obligation deriving from binding UN Security Council resolutions to hand over the control of the town of Varosha to the UN to enable its residents return to their homes.
The fenced-off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta – called Varosha- was abandoned by its lawful inhabitants, during the 1974 Turkish invasion.
Varosha remains since 1974 a sealed area, a ghost town, since the Turkish army does not allow visitors or the lawful inhabitants of the area to visit it.
President Christofias referred to the specific proposal for Famagusta in the context of a three tier proposal which provides for the opening Varosha under UN aegis, which remains a ghost town since Turkey occupied the northern third part of Cyprus, the simultaneous opening of the Famagusta port under EU aegis and the opening of Turkey – EU accession chapters which have been frozen.
Such a development, said President Christofias, would give a significant boost to the procedure to solve the Cyprus issue and could constitute a proof of good will for cooperation on the part of Turkey and could also be an economic boost for both communities.
He said the people have a long term goal and that is to achieve a fair, viable and functional solution to the Cyprus issue, that will “secure peace, stability and security and will guarantee progress and prosperity for all the inhabitants of Cyprus, in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality, as it is defined in Security Council resolutions, and will secure a state with a single sovereignty, identity and international personality”.
President Christofias said the obstacle for a solution is the continued Turkish settlement of the occupied areas of Cyprus, noting that as long as time goes by without a solution, settlement will increase, solidifying the fait accompli on the island. Settlement, he added, is catastrophic for both communities and all the people and the fight to end it should be common action between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
President Christofias further said that Cyprus has already reported to the international community the provocative Turkish attitude as well as its promotion of a “plan B” for upgrading the occupied areas of Cyprus.
“It is clear that the pressure on the part of the European Union and the international community should intensify to make the occupation power alter its course and respect the Republic of Cyprus and the EU as well as its institutions”, he added.
President Christofias pledged that the Greek Cypriot side is ready to continue the dialogue for a solution to the Cyprus problem, even during its six month presidency of the European Council.
The town which we see before us so close yet so far away, can be a bridge of peace, hope, cooperation and cohabitation”, said President Christofias, as long as Turkey decides to set aside the threats and insults and re-enter the dialogue which it abandoned due to the assumption on the part of the Republic of Cyprus of the Presidency of the European Council.
The events for Famagusta will be attended, inter alia, by a delegation of the Greek Parliament and Mayors of Greek towns.
On 14 August, the day the Turkish troops launched their second offensive and started moving towards Famagusta, there will be a memorial service in Deryneia.
Famagusta was captured by the advancing Turkish troops during the second phase of the Turkish invasion, in mid August 1974. Ever since it has remained sealed off, under the control of the Turkish military.
UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha (the fenced off area of Famagusta) by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN led talks have been under way since 2008 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.
