A total of 52 years have passed since its occupation, and the Greek Cypriot side is once again knocking on the door of the international community regarding Famagusta. However, once again, its pleas fall on deaf ears.
The Turkish Cypriot press, specifically the newspaper “Avruppa,” appears to confirm yesterday’s report in the newspaper “Fileleftheros,” according to which President Christodoulides included among his 19 proposals the return of the Varosians, first to the UN, and then to its lawful residents, in exchange for the city’s port operating under the supervision of the European Commission.
AVRUPA “Erhurman initially viewed Christodoulides’ proposal favorably, but after Ankara rejected it, the Turkish Cypriot leader changed his mind. During the Anastasiades era, a similar proposal had been put forward that included not only the port of Famagusta but also the Tympou airport; however, that proposal was also rejected at the time. What becomes clear is that, like previous leaders, Erhurman also lacks the political will.”
For the time being, the Turkish Cypriot leader has made no comment on the matter, while the government has essentially confirmed it by refraining from denying it.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
VIKTORAS PAPADOPOULOS—Director of the Press Office of the President of the Republic: “The
content of the proposals cannot be made public, as the goal is to protect the process.”
The proposal was put forward in 2006, during Finland’s presidency of the European Union. The goal at the time was to advance Turkish interests by unblocking Turkey’s accession negotiations with Brussels. Even then, there was no positive response.
On numerous other occasions, proposals were submitted, such as allowing a team of experts to enter the enclosed city. This effort also failed to yield results, as each time the Turkish Cypriot leader either agreed or was prevented by Ankara from accepting the proposal.
Watch Giorgos Georgiadis’s report:
