Government says its proposal on Famagusta not related to any Turkish Cypriot proposal

The government has submitted its proposal concerning the fenced off city of Famagusta  for which it has informed international community members and EU officials and this proposal is not related to the proposal that has leaked to the Turkish media by Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglou, Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides has said.

Stylianides was invited to comment on reports in the Turkish media about a plan of the Turkish Cypriot side providing for the return of Greek Cypriot properties in Famagusta to their lawful citizens, the handing over of the local administration to Famagusta municipality and exercising of the security control by the so called police of the Turkish Cypriot puppet regime.

Stylianides stressed that the initiative of the Cyprus government on Famagusta “is most appropriate as is part of the new dynamic for the resumption of the dialogue” on the Cyprus problem.

Responding to a question, Stylianides said that the government would deal with this issue through diplomacy and away from the public scene as it believed that there is a long way ahead for this issue.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. A new round of peace talks is expected to start this autumn, to find a negotiated settlement that will reunify the country, under a federal roof.

Turkey invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, and it continued its offensive on August 14 of the same year, occupying part of Mesaoria, Famagusta, Karpasia and Morphou. The Turkish side continues to disregard international calls on Cyprus (including UN Security Council Resolutions) and continues to hold the city of Famagusta hostage of its illegal military occupation. Dubbed a “ghost town”, Famagusta’s fenced off section – called Varoshia – remains to this day deserted, abandoned to the elements.