The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Cyprus officials have called upon the UK Government to condemn Turkey’s illegal actions with regard to Varosha and to use all available means to achieve the reversal of these actions.
Writing to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab following representations from the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, the pro-Cypriot British MPs state that following the illegal reopening of the town’s beachfront “surely it is now time for an unequivocal and robust condemnation” of these actions by the UK Government.
They also urge the government to “seriously consider all measures and actions that it can deploy to ensure that International Law and UN Security Council Resolutions are upheld.”
Sir Roger Gale, Chair of the APPG for Cyprus, and the letter’s co-signatories, Vice-Chairs Bambos Charalambous, Christine Jardine, Caroline Nokes and Secretary Jack Dromey, state that these actions by Turkey are even more disturbing as they are taking place at a time when the UN Secretary-General has expressed his readiness to launch efforts towards the resumption of settlement talks in Cyprus.
“The illegal re-opening of Varosha will only serve to seriously undermine and damage these efforts and prospects for a solution. That in itself is contrary to the position of Her Majesty’s Government,” add the MPs.
Sir Roger also thanks Foreign Minister Wendy Morton for her response to a previous APPG letter on Varosha. Morton had reassured the MPs that the UK government’s concerns had been made clear to Turkish officials.
The APPG for Cyprus Chair reminds the Foreign Secretary that the Group had warned against underestimating the statements by Turkish officials on Varosha.
He also notes that Turkey’s actions represent “a policy of incremental encroachment and fait accomplis that the international community has so far failed to stop.”
At the same time, the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK’s campaign to urge the British Government to use all measures and actions to get Turkey to reverse its illegal actions in Varosha has resulted in more than 2,700 sent by the UK Cypriot community to the Foreign Secretary.

Add YOUR voice by visiting http://cypriotfederation.org.uk/varosi – it takes just 30 seconds using the automated template. TAKE ACTION NOW.

 

What is happening in Varosi?

Sadly, efforts over the years for the citizens of Famagusta to return to the city they were forced to abandon during the Turkish invasion in 1974, have been met with the refusal by Turkey and its illegal regime in the occupied part of Cyprus, despite numerous decisions by the UN to re-open the ghost town, namely, Security Council resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992) and the High Level Agreement of 1979.

A proposal was put forward by H.E. the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nicos Anastasiades in February 2019, to establish a Technical Committee on the Reconstruction and Resettlement of the fenced area of Varosi with international and Greek and Turkish Cypriot experts. This Committee would evaluate the situation of properties in Varosi so that the legitimate residents may return safely to their city once the technical work is completed. This proposal, was resubmitted to the UN Secretary General in August 2020. In addition, the UN Secretary General has also recently launched efforts to restart negotiations to reunite Cyprus.

Instead of engaging constructively in proposals on Varosi, or the UN Secretary General’s efforts to reunite Cyprus, Turkey has decided to illegally re-open a beach area in Varosi, in breach of UN Security Council Resolutions.

In February this year, the Turkish Vice President Oktay, whilst participating in a roundtable in the occupied area on reopening the ghost town, stated that Varosi belongs to the secessionist regime and it should open under its administration. Similar statements were made by President Erdogan’s Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin. This was followed in August, with a statement from Ersin Tatar, the self-proclaimed ‘prime minister’ of the occupation regime, who reiterated the plans to re-open the ghost town adding that he was “confident about Turkey’s support”, following a meeting with President Erdoğan.

Unfortunately, these statements of intent were underestimated, at the very least, or worse, ignored by the International community. On 6th October, in Ankara, President Erdogan and Mr Tatar announced the opening of the Varosi beachfront. The beach was ‘opened’ on 8th October, in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions, 550, 789 and 2537.

 

What has been the response of the UK and UN?

The UK Government has consistently reaffirmed its support for the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly 550 (1984), 789 (1992) and 2537 (2020) as well as making clear its concerns regarding Varosi to Turkish Officials.

On 9th October, the United Nations Security Council, of which the UK is a Permanent Member, released a President’s Statement which:

  • Reaffirmed the status of Varosi as set out in previous resolutions,
  • Expressed deep concern regarding announcement in Ankara on 6 Oct. to open coastline, and
  • Called for the reversal of this course of action

These statements and UN Resolutions are clear. Now the International Community and UK Government need to ensure that they are implemented.

 

What should be done?

The United Kingdom has led the international response to other acts of aggression and recently introduced a new sanctions regime against individuals that are responsible for human rights violations.

Moreover, the United Kingdom is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a Guarantor Power of the Republic of Cyprus. Therefore it has a special obligation to ensure that the UN Security Council statement of 9th October, as well as all UN Resolutions relating to Cyprus, are implemented. In doing so, the UK, should be willing to consider all measures and actions. 

 

What can I do?

We have created a user-friendly email template (which you can amend), on our website (www.cypriotfederation.org.uk/varosi), allowing you to email the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs in just 30 seconds. The email urges him to you to consider all measures and actions available to the UK, to ensure that International Law is upheld and that statements & resolutions of the UN Security Council, relating to Cyprus, are implemented.

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