On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the invasion and illegal occupation of Famagusta by the Turkish troops, the Famagusta Municipal Council issued a resolution addressing renewed call for respect of international resolutions and decisions by Turkey and exerting pressure on the occupying power by the international community.
The resolution was delivered to a representative of UNFICYP at the Deryneia roadblock, after a march from the Famagusta Fallen and Missing Monument – GSE Memorial to the roadblock, which started at 19:00. At 7:30 p.m. the Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta Vasileios performed a trisage at the memorial site.
In the resolution, the Municipal Council reaffirms its firm position in favor of finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of a Bizonal, Bicommunal Federation, with political equality of the two communities, as determined by the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and which provides for a state with one sovereignty, one international personality and one citizenship. A solution, as he states, that frees Cyprus from Turkish occupation and colonization, liberates and reunites the homeland and its people, restores and guarantees the human rights and basic freedoms of all Cypriots. “A solution which will allow us to return to our beloved city”.
He strongly condemns the illegal and provocative actions of Turkey and its representatives here, within the closed area of Famagusta.
“They are actions that create new accomplishments that work against the prospect of returning to our city. The Turkish declarations and actions constitute steps towards the complete neutralization of the Security Council resolutions, which demand the return of the legal residents of Varosia, under the temporary administration of the United Nations”.
He considers that the Cyprus issue is still is at the most critical turning point in its history and points out that time and prolonged stagnation are proving to be factors that lead to the gradual integration of the occupied with Turkey and finally to the definitive partition, with extremely dangerous consequences for the entire Cypriot People.
< br/>Calls once again on the Turkish government to comply with the provisions of UN Security Council Resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992), the Kyprianou-Denktas High Level Agreement (1979), resolutions, reports, and decisions of the European Parliament and to immediately return Famagusta to its legal inhabitants.
Welcomes the fact that in the recent UN Security Council resolution 2723 (2024), the explicit position of the Security Council regarding the status of the Varosians is reiterated, with a central point of reference being adherence to the relevant resolutions, especially 550 and 789. It also welcomes the reference of the resolution to the presidential statement that condemns the announcement of July 20, 2021 but also the Turkish actions that have been taking place since October 2020 and calls for their immediate revocation. At the same time, it welcomes the fact that in said resolution, it is clearly repeated that the current state of affairs is not sustainable and that the current situation should not be perceived as static.
He appeals to the international community, the EU, the UN and especially the five Permanent Members of the Security Council to intensify their efforts, exerting their influence on Turkey to change its hitherto intransigent policy and comply with the dictates of international legitimacy.
He also calls on the Government to take initiatives capable of bringing Turkey back to the negotiating table.
He looks forward to the UN Secretary General's decisions regarding next steps and the prospect of breaking the impasse. It looks forward to the immediate resumption of negotiations, from the point where they were interrupted in 2017 in Crans Montana, based on the Guterres Framework and all the convergences achieved to date.
It welcomes with great satisfaction the actions and mobilizations of a large part of Turkish Cypriots, who disagree with the actions and plans of Turkey and its residents here. .
He notes that “the days Cyprus is going through, and especially Famagusta, are perhaps the most critical in the history of our political problem”. Therefore, he calls on “all the political forces of the country to contribute in every way and with a sense of responsibility, so that in a spirit of unity, a common path can finally be drawn up to prevent the next step towards definitive division”.
He calls on the refugee world, the entire people and the political leadership to stand above any differences so that these very difficult times will pass in order to bring freedom, reunification, peace and prosperity to Cyprus for the whole the Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians, Maronites and Latins.
Finally, he calls on the men and women of Famagusta to find within themselves the strength, hope and fighting spirit to continue the struggle that will lead as soon as possible to return to their city in conditions of safety and peace.
