The Turkish occupied municipalities of Cyprus have called on the Greek Cypriot diaspora in the US to continue supporting the struggle for a solution to the Cyprus problem and help combat Turkish designs against Cyprus.
A delegation of the Commission of the occupied municipalities, comprising the President of the Commission and Famagusta Mayor Alexis Galanos, Kyrenia Mayor Glafkos Kariolou and Lefkonikon Mayor Michael Pilikos, has recently visited the US and attended the opening of the Cyprus and Hellenic Leadership Conference, organized by PSEKA (International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus).
According to a press release, the President of the Commission underlined the need of all the Greek Cypriots and Greeks abroad to unite forces to confront Turkey, pointing out as well that Cyprus must exploit new geostrategic data, in relation to its Exclusive Economic Zone and create new alliances, to help free the country of Turkey’s occupation and secure the return of the refugees to their homelands.
In their short addresses, Kyrenia and Lefkonikon Mayors referred to the preservation of the cultural heritage and the continuation of the program on the identification of missing persons.
A documentary on “The destruction of Cyprus’ cultural heritage by Turkey” was presented during the conference by the Mayor of Famagusta.
Kyrenia and Lefkonikon Mayors held an important meeting at the US Department of State with Deputy Director of the Department of Southern European Affairs, James Merz, and Cyprus Desk Officer Lindsay Coffey.
During the meeting important issues were raised by the two Mayors, such as the return of the refugees to their homelands, Turkey’s refusal to abide by European Court of Human Rights’ decisions and the need to intensify action to safe occupied churches, monasteries and cemeteries, as well as a most valuable item of the island’s cultural and historical heritage, the ancient ship of Kyrenia.
The presence of the three Mayors at the conference organized by PSEKA (International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus) has led many members of Congress to point out that Turkey must accept a proposal by Cyprus President on the return of the fenced area of Famagusta (Varosha) under UN administration and the return of all the refugees to the occupied areas of Cyprus.
The delegation also held separate meetings with Archbishop of America and the Director for Europe at the Department of Political Affairs of the UN, Elizabeth Spehar.
Among the 39 Cypriot Municipalities, 9 are under Turkish occupation since 1974 (Akanthou, Famagusta, Karavas,Kyrenia, Kythrea, Lapithos, Lefkonikon, Lysi and Morphou) as a result of the occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey following the 1974 military invasion.
Since then, these nine municipalities are “displaced”. They continue to maintain their legal status, although their mayors and councils have temporarily been displaced to the government-controlled area, as have the vast majority of their constituents.