pening the fenced – off part of the city of Famagusta in the occupied areas, known as Varosha, is key for the reunification of Cyprus, Famagusta Mayor Alexis Galanos has said.
Galanos, was addressing an anti-occupation rally, on Saturday evening, in Dherynia.
Cyprus has been divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN backed negotiations are underway to reunite the island under a federal roof.
Abandoned by its Greek Cypriot inhabitants as they fled the advancing Turkish troops in the summer of 1974, Varosha has remained under Turkey`s direct control since then and has been dubbed a `ghost town`.
The return of Varosha to its lawful residents has been proposed as a Confidence Building Measure. It has been described by US Vice President Joe Biden as “a game changer” in the Cyprus process.
Galanos said the rally has been organised annually for the past 40 years in order to condemn the occupation of the city by Turkey and “to give a voice to our beloved Famagusta”. He went on to say that the city is witness of the crime of occupation and of the tragedy of Cyprus` division and above all is a witness “of the international community`s cold tolerance of this continued crime against our country and our people”.
Galanos noted with satisfaction that persistent efforts throughout the years have persuaded everyone, at home and abroad, of Famagusta`s value as an extremely important factor for the solution of the Cyprus issue.
Famagusta, he said, can constitute a concrete confidence building measure, a great opportunity which may prepare the ground for the reunification of Cyprus.
As a first step, he added, the return of the fenced – off part of Famagusta will create a new dynamic and will give impetus to the reunification process. It will, according to Galanos, restore trust in the people, proving that it is possible for a solution to be reached.
At the same time, it will open up new avenues for growth both for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and will act as a catalyst reversing the negative climate and bringing people from both communities together.