Acting Cyprus President and House of Representatives President Yiannakis Omirou said on Saturday evening that the return of the fenced – off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta would constitute an important step for the creation of a positive climate in the efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of international and European law principles.
At the same time, he sent a message for the need of unity between political parties, pointing out that this is what the people demand.
Omirou, who was addressing an anti-occupation event organised by the Famagusta Municipality in Deryneia, recalled that the return of Varosha constitutes an obligation for Turkey on the basis of the High Level Agreement of 1979 and the UN Security Council resolutions 550 and 789.
The Cyprus problem is certainly not limited to Famagusta, he said, adding however that its return would “constitute a first important step for the creation of a positive climate in the efforts to achieve a comprehensive solution on the basis of the principle of international and European law.”
In this context, he noted, letting experts enter the occupied city to assess the cost in order to plan reconstruction is urgent and will show in practice the good intentions of the other side.
Omirou said that there is hope and expectations for the outcome of the resumed Cyprus talks, adding however that Turkey has a decisive role to play.
Turkey, he pointed out, should decide whether it will continue its intransigent policy on Cyprus or whether it will come to terms with the idea of a solution which will restore conditions of security and stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean and would lift obstacles from its European ambitions.
He expressed the point of view that Cyprus needs to move in the international and EU scene asking for pressure to be exerted on Turkey. He also said that a solution which would stipulate guarantor powers would be inconceivable. This type of anachronism, he added, should be abolished, pointing out that Cyprus` membership of the UN and the EU constitutes a sufficient framework of guarantees.
Omirou also spoke of the EU`s role in the Cyprus problem, highlighting the fact that a solution should be functional, viable and fully in line with the principles, values and rules in place in the EU. We expect the EU envoy recently appointed to play his part adequately, he added.
UN-led talks between Cyprus President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci resumed in May, with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.
The fenced-off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta – called Varosha- was abandoned by its lawful inhabitants, in the wake of advancing Turkish troops during the 1974 invasion. Famagusta was captured by the Turkish military during the second phase of the Turkish invasion, in mid August 1974. Ever since it has remained sealed off, under the control of the Turkish military.
UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha (the fenced off area of Famagusta) by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN.