The United Nations does not have a comment on the European Parliament resolution adopted on Thursday, UN Secretary General’s Deputy Spokesperson Ferhan Haq has said, reiterating the UN call on all parties to engage in dialogue in order to resolve their differences.

Haq said “we haven’t any comment on the EU parliament’s decision” and reiterated the UN’s position on Varosha itself.

“The position of the United Nations on Varosha remains unchanged and the Organization is guided by relevant Security Council resolutions. The Secretary-General urges all parties to avoid any unilateral actions that could trigger tensions on the island and undermine the return to dialogue or the future success of talks. He calls on all parties to engage in dialogue in order to resolve their differences,” Haq said.

He noted that “the Secretary-General believes it is important to resume a viable and comprehensive negotiation process and remains committed to supporting the two sides in revitalizing the political process,” adding that “he reiterates his readiness to explore the possibility of convening an informal five-plus-UN meeting at the appropriate stage.”

On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted with 631 in favor, 3 against and 59 abstentions a non-binding resolution “on the escalation of tensions in Varosha following Turkey`s illegal actions and the urgent need to resume talks”, after the earlier inclusion of three amendments, two by ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists) and one by the EPP (European People`s Party).

The resolution “condemns Turkey`s illegal activities at Varosha”, calls on the Turkish government “to reverse this decision and avoid unilateral action”, calls on the European Council “to maintain its unified position against its unilateral and illegal actions” and “to take action and impose severe sanctions in response to Turkey`s illegal actions “, while recalling that further sanctions “can only be avoided through dialogue, sincere cooperation and concrete progress on the ground” and calls for the resumption of talks for the reunification of Cyprus under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest UN backed round of talks took place in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana but failed to yield any results.

The Turkish side illegally opened on October 8 part of the beach of the abandoned town of Famagusta, in violation to numerous UN resolutions.

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 be extended to include Varosha.