Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Kasoulides, is meeting with the Special Representative of the United Nations in Cyprus, Colin Stewart, on Monday morning, following the latest developments in the fenced area of Famagusta, Varosha. The meeting takes place at the Foreign Ministry.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Kasoulides said that he intends to meet with Colin Stewart, to remind him that the Republic of Cyprus has responded to his request for certain actions for the benefit of the Turkish Cypriots, therefore “we demand a similar response from the other side, and not what we witnessed by the occupation forces” he added.
Answering questions, the FM said that in case of no progress over the Confidence Building Measures (CBM) more incidents will occur, like the latest one in Varosha. “We all need to realize that we must do everything in our power for the sake of the fenced off area of Varosha and this is what we are trying to do” he noted.
He also said that CBMs are under negotiation and that he will listen to other proposals but “for us, the backbone of the whole effort is to salvage Famagusta”.
Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta is often described as a “ghost town”, and the UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) urged that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus, should be extended to include Varosha. Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, announced in July 2021 a partial lifting of the military status in Varosha and on October 8, 2020, the Turkish side opened part of the fenced area of Varosha, following an announcement made in Ankara on October 6. Both the UN Secretary-General and the EU expressed concern, while the UN Security Council called for the reversal of this course of action.
Source: Cyprus News Agency