Turkey’s provocative actions in Famagusta are unacceptable, Cyprus President says

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has referred to Turkey`s provocative actions in the fenced – off part of Turkish occupied Famagusta, known as Varosha, noting that they are not and will not be accepted, adding that the government will not remain with its “hands tied”.

President Anastasiades was addressing an event celebrating the completion of 60 years of Bishop of Constantia and Famagusta Vassilios, in Paralimni.

Yesterday`s provocative actions by the Turks in the fenced off area of Famagusta “are not and will not be accepted.”

Despite the recent reconfirmation by UN Security Council of the resolutions on Varosha, he said, “we witnessed yesterday an unacceptable situation.” He added that the violation of the Republic of Cyprus` sovereign rights whether on land or in its EEZ are also unacceptable.

We will not remain with “our hands tied,” he noted, adding that “the diplomatic path, international law, European principles and values set out what will happen in the immediate future.”

Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a ‘ghost town’. UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus should be extended to include Varosha.

Efforts over the years for the legitimate citizens of Famagusta to return to the city have met with the refusal of the Turkish side, despite numerous decisions and resolutions by the UN, EU and other international institutions.

Kudret Ozersay, the “foreign minister” of the illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, arranged in late August a press visit for Turkish Cypriot and Turkish journalists and media in the fenced – off part of Famagusta for the first time in 45 years and announced that he will gradually open the city. A Turkish Bar Association event was organized in Varosha, on Saturday, with the participation of Turkey’s Vice President Fuat Oktay and Turkey’s Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül.

UN Security Council President Jerry Matthews Matjila said on October 9, 2019, after a Security Council’s closed meeting which examined Cyprus’ appeal on the issue of Famagusta that no actions should be carried out in relation to Varosha that are not in accordance with the UNSC Resolutions, including Resolution 550 (1984) and Resolution 789 (1992).

Referring to the efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem President Anastasiades said that “it is an effort for the country`s reunification, to establish the fate of missing persons in Cyprus and to restore inalienable human rights on the basis of a just, functional and therefore viable solution.”

“A solution which will be based on UN resolutions, will absolutely respect EU principles and values, will create conditions of peaceful coexistence and guarantee our state entity`s independence and sovereignty away from third countries` dependencies or the presence of occupying troops”, he added.

President Anastasiades said that “we have proven our respect of political equality. We have proven how much we respect our compatriots”, adding that, ” no one can overlook the fact that we are also obligated to respect the rights of Greek Cypriots.”

This is why, he explained, ” I will not accept or put up with the political inequality Ankara wishes to impose on our country.”

“What we seek is nothing less than what all other Europeans enjoy”, he noted.

He sent a clear message to all directions, as he said, that “all those expecting that I will give in to blackmail by third parties or inducements in the home front for something less that what we owe our citizens as Europe, will be disappointed.”

At the same time he assured that “the effort for our people`s and divided country`s reunification remains my top priority.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.