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EU offers ‘paper about options’ on Varosha

g7 summit in liverpool
Josep Borrell

The EU’s foreign ministers on Monday agreed to consider the possibility of measures against those involved in activities in the fenced area of Varosha, but also called for confidence-building measures on Famagusta to help bring closer a solution to the Cyprus problem.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, speaking after the foreign affairs council (FAC) in Brussels said that among other issues on their agenda was the impact of the unilateral actions taken last July by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots in Varosha that run counter to the UN Security Council resolutions.

“We presented an options paper and we agreed to make an evaluation of those options on the table which will also include the creation of a specific sanctions regime focusing on persons and entities with direct involvement in the opening of part of Varosha after last July,” Borrell said.

The Committee of the Permanent Representatives at the EU (Coreper), he added, will follow up “on this important issue” based on what the FAC discussed on Monday.

Borrell stressed that it was essential that Turkey seriously reengages in the UN process and refrains from any action that would further deteriorate the situation on the ground.

The rest of the EU member states once again expressed their solidarity with Cyprus. They also expressed their support to the UN process and the new Secretary-General Special Representative in Cyprus, Colin Stewart who assumed duties earlier this month.

Borrell said that the FAC considers that creating the conditions for an environment conducive to a solution remains crucial, and “that confidence-building measures with regards to Varosha are of key importance and will help to the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus issue”.

Responding to a question by a member of the press, he clarified that the options paper was just that: “a paper about options, not a proposal to decide on anything concrete but a guide to discuss possible action”.

He said Monday’s decision was to start working on a new legal framework especially on the situation in Varosha which could lead to sanctions. He said he could not give a detailed guideline on when this framework would be ready.

The Turkish Cypriot side demilitarised 3.5 per cent of the fenced area of Varosha after announcing the move last July, to pave the way for its settlement. Though this was a ‘cabinet’ decision, Ankara has been blasted by the international community as the responsible party since the fenced area of Varosha is under Turkey’s military control.

The Turkish Cypriot side called on Greek Cypriot owners of property in that area to file their claims through the immovable properties commission (IPC), a body set up by Turkey in the north as a domestic remedy. IPC examines applications by refugees with properties in the north for restitution, compensation or exchange of property.

 

 

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