The White House`s top Europe and Russian official on the National Security Council, Ryan Tully, has pledged that the US will continue to remain vigilant of Turkey `s actions in Varosha.

In a letter dated December 29 to the leaders of the Diaspora in the US, namely AHEPA, PSEKA, AHI, the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations and the Hellenic American Leadership Council -who previously addressed Turkey`s actions to Donald Trump – Tully points out that the United States government is closely monitoring the situation in Varosha.

He adds that on several occasions has expressed to Turkish and Turkish Cypriot authorities our deep concerns over the reopening of part of Varosha and called for the reversal of such steps .

“In October , Secretary of State Pompeo spoke to Republic of Cyprus Foreign Minister Christodoulides and stated that the reopening of a part of Varosha is provocative, inconsistent with UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789, and not conducive toa return to settlement talks . The United States government supported action by the UN Security Council and welcomed the strong October 9 UNSC Presidential Statement on Varosha“, he underlines.

Tully also says that The United States alsο called οut Turkish President Erdogan `s visit to Varosha in November “as a step in the wrong direction“.

Trump`s Deputy Assistant also says that the United States continues to support a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, “an outcome which would benefit all Cypriots“.

“On Turkey, the United States has long expressed concern over Turkey`s procurement of the Russian S-400 air defense system. As you have seen, the United States imposed sanctions on Turkey , on December 14 for its procurement of this Russian system , and we will continue to remain vigilant of Turkey `s actions I want to thank the Greek and Cypriot diaspora community for your important contributions and continued engagement with the United States government“, the letter concludes.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. e 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.