The Cyprus issue and Turkish provocations, energy and food crisis, bilateral cooperation and women’s representation were on the agenda of a meeting House President Annita Demetriou had with Bundestag President Bärbel Bas in Berlin on Tuesday.
Demetriou said in statements that she had the opportunity to brief Bas on the Cyprus issue and the Greek Cypriot positions, as well as Turkey’s provocative stance and negative approach as regards the resumption of settlement talks under the UN. She said that Bas reiterated that Germany is clearly against a two-state solution in Cyprus and condemned Turkish provocations in the fenced off city of Varosha.
According to Demetriou, the German official said that she will try to exert pressure on Turkey to return to the negotiating table.
They also discussed the energy crisis and the latest developments as regards Cyprus’ energy program adding that energy and food crisis and the high prices are issues that affect the citizens and solutions need to be found.
During the meeting Demetriou and Bas also agreed to promote parliamentary diplomacy and to take initiatives for women’s representation and protection of vulnerable groups, under the auspices of EP President Roberta Metsola.
Demetriou said that women heads of national parliaments have a very important role to play adding that she also briefed Bas on the recent law passed by the Cyprus House on femicides.
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.
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.
The Turkish Cypriot leadership announced in July 2021 a partial lifting of the military status in Varosha. A few months earlier, on October 8, 2020, the Turkish side opened part of the fenced area of Varosha, following an announcement made in Ankara on October 6. The UN Security Council called for the reversal of this course of action, while the UN Secretary General, in his latest report on his mission of good offices in Cyprus, reiterated his concern over developments in the fenced-off area, noting that the position of the UN on Varosha remains unchanged. The EU also expressed grave concern.
Source: Cyprus News Agency