In a statement, the Greek Foreign Ministry condemns Turkey’s new unilateral and illegal actions in the fenced-off city of Varosha, underlining that these actions are further distancing the prospect of a Cyprus solution.
“We condemn Turkey’s unilateral and illegal actions in the enclosed area of Varosha, which constitute another violation of Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789,” the Greek Foreign Ministry says.
“By creating new faits accomplis on the ground, these actions are further distancing the prospect of a Cyprus solution on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions,” the statement concludes.
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.
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. 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.
Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, announced in July 2021 a partial lifting of the military status in Varosha. 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. In his latest report to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General Guterres underlines the importance of adhering fully to UN resolutions, underscoring that the position of the United Nations on this matter “remains unchanged.”
Source: Cyprus News Agency