President of the Republic of Cyprus insists on his proposal for the return of the fenced-off section of Famagusta, said Wednesday Andreas Mavroyiannis, negotiator of the Greek Cypriot side at the Cyprus talks, which are yet to resume.
Speaking before the House of Representatives Committee on Refugees-Enclaved-Missing-Adversely Affected Persons, Mavroyiannis stressed that the proposal on Famagusta is more than just a confidence building measure.
The proposal, he pointed out, could give a new impetus to the resumption of the Cyprus talks and could bring back hope to the people on the island that a solution is within reach.
Elaborating on the proposal, he said it can be seen as a package – proposal, which includes the fulfillment of Turkey’s EU obligations – such as the implementation of the Ankara Protocol – that would pave the way for the opening of the eight EU – Turkey accession negotiation chapters, which Cyprus froze in 2006 due to Ankara’s refusal to meet its obligations.
In addition, the proposal includes the lifting of the provision that no negotiating chapter can be closed, the return of the fenced off section of Famagusta to the UN and the use of the Famagusta port for trade with other EU countries.
Replying to questions by the members of the House Committee, Mavroyiannis said that neither the Special Advisor of the UNSG for Cyprus Alexander Downer nor Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule have agreed to convey to Turkey the proposal of the government concerning Famagusta.
He added that there was no sufficient support by the EU and the UN as regards the proposal of the government and the overall process for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The EU and the UN appear unwilling to play their institutional role, he pointed out.
Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish invasion in the summer of 1974. Around 37% of Cyprus’ territory is under Turkish occupation.
Varosha is the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, called also ‘ghost town’. Varosha remains to this day deserted, abandoned to the elements.
Efforts over the years for the legitimate citizens of Famagusta to return to the city have met with the refusal of the Turkish side, despite numerous decisions and resolutions by the UN, EU and other international institutions.
A new effort has recently been launched by President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, who submitted a proposal on the return of Varosha and the use of its port by the Turkish Cypriots for exports to EU countries. The President believes this would help build confidence, proving that the two communities on the island can coexist peacefully in conditions of prosperity and peace.
Previous UN led efforts to reunite the country have failed. A fresh round of talks on the reunification of Cyprus under a federal roof is expected to start later this year. Cyprus is a full EU member state since May 2004.