Race is on to try and save Varosha

If Turkey truly wishes for all refugees to return to their properties in Varosha, there is a way, through the implementation of UN resolutions, Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday as a sense of urgency builds about the future of the fenced-off area.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who was in the north on Thursday for consultations with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, said they also discussed the issue of Varosha.

Cavusoglu said that the opening of the ghost town would be done within “a transparent and legal framework”.

The Turkish Cypriot side has so far opened part of the fenced area of Varosha to visitors and has redeveloped public spaces such as beaches, parks and roads but has not yet touched private properties.

Famagusta mayor Simos Ioannou said on Thursday that US President Joe Biden would put pressure on Turkey on the Varosha issue.

The government and the Famagusta municipality are mobilising to prevent further faits accomplis in the fenced area with meetings, briefings and letters to the EU and international community, ahead of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the north on July 20.

Fears are being expressed over what Erdogan, who is expected to arrive with a big entourage, might announce as regards Varosha, including a possible call to Greek Cypriot refugees to return under Turkish Cypriot administration.

Members of the Famagusta municipal council had separate meetings on Thursday with US ambassador Judith Garber and Greek ambassador Theocharis Lalacos.

Mayor Ioannou said after the meeting with Garber they were reassured by the ambassador that Biden would put pressure on Turkey on the Varosha issue.

“We have been promised that the United States will do what it can,” Ioannou told the Cyprus News Agency. “We have said that the issue of Famagusta is a matter of violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and if Turkey is allowed to do so, it will do so throughout the eastern Mediterranean at no cost,” he added.

Ioannou said that they have asked Lalacos to convey the message that they would like meetings with the Greek leadership in Athens and party leaders to discuss the Varosha issue.

He said they have asked that Greece raises the issue of Varosha on every occasion.

The Famagusta municipal council is scheduled to meet President Nicos Anastasiades on Tuesday.

Ioannou called on the government on Wednesday to come up with a plan to thwart Ankara’s plans for the fenced area.

He also said there was discord between Famagusta refugees over what to do in the case Varosha is fully opened under Turkish Cypriot administration: some are in favour of claiming their properties through the immovable property commission (IPC) set up by Turkey in the north and others are dead against it.

The government has now weighed in on whether Varosha refugees should claims their properties through the IPC with the president and other state officials being adamant this is not the way.

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides told state broadcaster CyBC on Thursday that efforts were underway at all levels for results both as regards Varosha and progress on the Cyprus problem.

On the issue of refugees’ return to Varosha, the minister said there was a way for that.

“If Turkey truly wishes for all refugees to return to their properties there is a way to do it right away and in a way that will be welcomed, through the implementation of specific UN resolutions,” Christodoulides said. He added that such a move would be welcomed by everyone and Turkey itself would benefit as well.

He said the government is there to provide guidance and that it stands by the people of Famagusta and supports their desire to return to their homes. He noted, however, that this must be done through legal means and the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Anastasiades said on Wednesday that a possible call by Turkey on refugees to return to their Varosha properties under Turkish Cypriot administration would be a trap because then Turkish Cypriot religious endowment foundation Evkaf would claim that property.

Anastasiades said he and the foreign ministry have already taken steps within the EU, while he sent this week a letter to the US president. He also said that on Thursday, a letter was to be sent to the UN secretary-general on the matter.

Disputing the government’s argument about Evkaf, lawyer Achilleas Demetriades told CyBC that, according to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) case law, “Evkaf is non-existent.” He said its claims over Greek Cypriot property failed twice and that now “we are on the third one.” He also said that because of the first ECHR decision in favour of a Greek Cypriot property in the occupied areas, the case of Titina Loizidou, the court decided that these properties, “were, are and remain ours.” He said it is Turkey that is in charge of the IPC and not the Turkish Cypriots, and that Greek Cypriots are not using this tool adequately.

Head of ruling Disy Averof Neophytou, raised the Varosha issue with Garber and Chinese ambassador Liu Yantao. He is to also hold meetings with the rest of the ambassadors of the permanent members of the Security Council.