Oktay’s Famagusta remarks denounced as ‘unacceptable’

Famagusta municipality on Friday called on the UN and EU to help protect the occupied part of the town, following statements by the Turkish vice president that the Greek Cypriot side should forget Varosha.

The mayor and municipal council of Famagusta condemned Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay’s statements about their town as “unacceptable”.

In a written statement they said that what Oktay had said was against not only Famagusta but all of Cyprus.

They also said they call “once again” on the UN but also Turkey’s partners and so-called allies to prevent, not just in words, Turkey’s methods and to protect the people of Famagusta from the faits accomplis that have been going on for a long time in Cyprus.

“The United Nations and the European Union must act in a way that protects Famagusta and demand its immediate return to the basis of the relevant resolutions, doing everything they can to prevent even in the eleventh hour, Turkey’s criminal plans,” they said. They warned that if Turkey’s plans are implemented, “they will bury the Cyprus problem and lead all Cypriots, displaced and not, to new, uglier adventures.”

The Famagusta municipality officials said that resuming the talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem based on the UN parameters and the framework set by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, was an imperative and urgent need.

“Only at the negotiating table will we be able to end or at least suspend Turkey’s illegal actions in Famagusta,” they said.

The Turkish side opened last October part of the fenced area of Varosha to visitors.

Oktay this week called on Greece and the Greek Cypriots to forget that Varosha would be from now on a bargaining chip to the Cyprus problem and that decisions on the fenced area would be taken by the breakaway regime.

The Turkish vice president also said that the initiative to reopen and restore Varosha would continue to make it the “the pearl of Cyprus” once again.