Famagusta mayor: most challenging time yet

The mayor of occupied-Famagusta said that the current period is the most challenging yet – not just for Varosha but for the whole of Cyprus.

Simos Ioannou was speaking at a Monday night rally in Dheryneia to protest Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the north and the anniversary of the Turkish invasion.

His visit, which began at about 3pm on Monday afternoon, has been widely speculated to feature the ghost town of Varosha and a possible change in its status.

But as of Monday night, the most notable feature of Erdogan’s trip has been the lack of Varosha being mentioned in his speech to the ‘parliament’ in the north.

Ioannou declared that: “We are here once again with our children and grandchildren to loudly declare to Turkey… that Famagusta belongs neither to the occupying power, Erdogan or [Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin] Tatar – but to those who were born there.”

Highlighting the severity of the situation, Ioannou said that should the city be further lost it will prove to be the tombstone of a potential solution to the Cyprus issue.

Ioannou also warned again against the scenario whereby rightful owners are called to return to their properties under administration of the ‘TRNC’ – saying that such a move is a path towards a two-state solution.

“The return under Turkish Cypriot administration in no way secures and does not guarantee a stable and legal restoration of property,” the mayor said.

Some have cheered that Erdogan’s “big news” has so far failed to materialise in what was widely expected – an announcement on Varosha – but others have warned that with Tuesday’s events still to go, there may well be a significant development.