UN envoy to Cyprus hands Maras plan to Eroglu

The United Nations’ (UN) envoy to Cyprus Alexander Downer on Wednesday handed over the proposal of the Greek Cypriot administration leader Nikos Anastasiadis to the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Dervis Eroglu regarding closed city, Maras. Following the meeting with Eroglu, Downer said, he handed over the proposal of Anastasiadis to Eroglu and would also hand over the proposal to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Downer said they worked on planning the negotiation process which is expected to start in October.

Downer on Tuesday said the UN has not set a date for stalled Cyprus negotiations for reunification.

Downer had said “parties need to be prepared for the negotiations to restart,” adding ” When the preparations are completed, negotiations can restart.”

Earlier, Eroglu had said that he has conveyed his opinion for the solution to the UN and his Greek Cypriot friends, and added that they were ready to do their full share of work on solution and come together with Turkey, Greece, UK, and Greek Cypriot administration; “as long as, the existing realities in Cyprus could not be ignored, and an intimate agreement was aimed.”

Eroglu had also said the talks that aimed to resolve the Cyprus problem between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots would start in October.

Peace talks have been stalled since January 2012 before the leadership elections in Greek Cypriot administration due to delays.

The reason why Maras is abandoned is due to the UN Security Council Resolution 550 (taken on 11 May 1984), which states that: “attempts to settle any part of Maras by people other than its inhabitants is inadmissible”. Since TRNC is not allowed to resettle the area and the area is under TRNC control, this situation led to the abandonment of the Maras district.

Since 1974, entry to the district is forbidden with the exception of the Turkish Army personnel.