Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots representing the Famagusta Association of Great Britain and the Turkish Cypriot Association for Democracy (London) delivered a petition for the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants and the opening of its sea port, in accordance with the UN resolutions, to 10 Downing Street on Monday.
Both parties stated that they share the same belief that the return of the town of Famagusta and the opening of its port would be the key to the solution of the Cyprus problem.
The petition was delivered in the presence of MPs from the main British political parties – David Burrowes MP, Andy Love MP and Nick de Bois MP – and was accompanied by documents showing that the petition has been signed by over 50,000 people, including many dignitaries.
A covering letter accompanying the petition pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot organisation ‘Famagusta Initiative’ recently carried out an opinion poll in which 73% of the Famagusta Turkish Cypriots polled voted in favour of the return of Famagusta to its rightful inhabitants and the opening of the sea port.
“The parties share the same belief that the return of both the town and port to its lawful inhabitants will pave the way for a comprehensive economic development programme to the benefit of both communities. These benefits will strengthen the bond between the two communities which, through socio-economic and cultural co-operation, will serve as a catalyst and the driving force in reaching a final solution to the Cyprus problem,” added the two associations.
The letter respectfully called on the British Government, pursuant to its obligations under the London-Zurich 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, “to actively exercise the necessary pressure on Turkey to implement the various resolutions of the United Nations and Declarations of the European Union Parliament for the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants, already supported by successive British Governments in power.” It specifically reminds PM David Cameron that UN resolution 550 was voted for in 1984 with the support of the then Prime Minister, the late Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher.
David Burrowes, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Southgate and Enfield, praised the representatives of the Cypriot Communities in Britain for their unprecedented historical joint effort. “The return of Famagusta will create immense economic activity for the benefit of both communities,” he said, while he promised to follow up the petition with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.
Dr. Vassilis Mavrou, the President of Famagusta Association, stated that thousands of individuals signed the petition for the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants. He added that the Cypriots in the UK will keep on fighting for the return of Famagusta’s lawful inhabitants and indeed for all Cypriots refugees, demanding a free united Cyprus. Dr Mavrou stated the immense benefits for both communities for such a CBM (confidence building measure). He subsequently called on the British Prime Minister to exercise the necessary pressure on Turkey to allow the return of Famagusta’s inhabitants in order to create a good climate before the start of the inter-communal negotiations.
Mr Cagri Cosar, representative of the Turkish Cypriot Youth UK, said that there is a demand from both communities for the return of the lawful inhabitants of Famagusta. He stated that then re-unification of Famagusta will serve as a confidence building measure towards the solution of the Cyprus problem. He pointed out that both communities suffer from the delays in solving the problem.
Mr Hassan Raif, head of the Turkish Cypriot Association for Democracy (London), noted that this is a joint effort by the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities for a common goal. He congratulated the Famagusta Association team which worked very hard in collecting all those thousands of signatures. He concluded that he was confident that everybody’s efforts will bear fruit.
