Concern about Varosha developments expressed by EC

The European Commission is “concerned” about the recent decision taken by Turkish Cypriot authorities to open another stretch of beach in Varosha, its spokesman Stefan de Kersmacher said on Tuesday.

According to reports, the stretch being cleared on the Golden Sands beach in the area for commercial use is around 600 metres long.

“Opening new parts of the beach or preparing it for the summer season is another step in the wrong direction,” de Kersmacher said.

“We are aware of the ongoing situation in Varosha and we continue to stand by the existing UN Security Council resolutions. Therefore, the latest developments are completely unacceptable.”

He added that the Turkish government and the Turkish Cypriot leadership are fully aware of the EU Commission’s position on Varosha.

“The Commission reiterates the need to avoid unilateral actions in violation of international law and new provocations, which could increase tensions on the island and jeopardise the ongoing efforts to find common ground towards a lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions,” de Kersmacher said.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides met the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Cyprus and head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (Unficyp) Colin Stewart, to whom he expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the latest developments.

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar however denied that a new stretch of beach is being developed in Varosha – a claim supported later in the day by the ‘mayor’ of occupied Famagusta Ismail Arter.