There are no developments as regards the issue of Famagusta due to Turkey’s stance the House Committee on Refugees concluded after discussing the matter in the presence of the Greek Cypriot negotiator at the Cyprus talks Andreas Mavroyiannis.
According to what the Committee members heard from the Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis, the issue of Famagusta is included in the Confidence Building Measures and therefore he is not competent to discuss or negotiate this issue.
“This is for the two leaders, the President of the Republic and the Turkish Cypriot leader to discuss, and as we all know there are unfortunately no developments except some efforts from some diplomats and perhaps some others who, by implying certain things, create concerns that we hope that will get clarified,” the Committee`s Chairwoman Skevi Koukouma said.
Koukouma said that from the information they received, it seems that things do not move on as regards the issue of Famagusta, there are no developments and there is stagnation and concern about this issue. She added that the state, the government and Cyprus President himself must take measures and evaluate the situation with great cautiousness.
She said that there must be coordination of the Famagusta Municipality with civil society groups and non governmental organizations.
Cyprus has been divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
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`.