Cyprus-Forum.com

[joe]

Famagusta deal needed


30/10/2006

The EU Finnish Presidency initiative to avert a crisis in EU-Turkey relations cannot bare fruit if it does not envisage the return of the fenced-off town of Famagusta to its legal inhabitants, Cypriot Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis has said.
Addressing a gathering of the Greek Orthodox Communities Association in Britain to mark the anniversary of October 28, 1940, Pashiardis said that Turkey cannot claim that the return of Famagusta must be part of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, when Ankara itself demands the opening of the town's port before a final settlement.
''Turkey is obliged to fulfil the commitments it assumed. If it can not do so or denies to do so why should Cyprus pay any price to facilitate Turkey's EU bid?'' Pashiardis wondered.
He also said the Greek Cypriot side's objective is a functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem according to the UN principles and the EU values and the agreed basis of a bizonal and bicommunal federation, which would truly reunite the people and the country and that would establish peace, security and prosperity for all the people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
According to reports, the Finnish EU Presidency is working on a draft proposal, providing for the opening of the Turkish occupied port of Famagusta under EU administration for 24 months, in combination with the opening of Turkish ports to ships carrying the Cypriot flag and the transfer of the closed city to the UN.
The fenced-off area (Varosha) of Famagusta is under Turkish military administration. Security Council resolution 550 (11 May 1984) ''considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha (Famagusta) by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the United Nations.''