The interview of the Mayor of Famagusta was published in the newspaper "Phileleftheros" (24 / 2 / 2020)
Opening of the enclosed city of occupied Famagusta by the occupying regime will be a violation of Resolutions 550 and 789 and those who return under these circumstances will be forced to recognize the pseudo-state with their property falling under the responsibility of the authorities, according to the occupying regime. Mayor of the occupied city, Simos Ioannou.
He warns that such an action will be the tombstone of the Cyprus problem and stresses that the return of Famagusta can only take place under the auspices of the United Nations. He stressed the need for coordination and unanimity of all political forces and collective claim to the issue of Famagusta and immediate convening of the National Council with the sole subject of discussion the occupied city and the actions of Turkey and the occupying regime.
It also refers to the actions taken at local and international level, both by the Authorities of the Municipality of Famagusta and by the Government, in the letters that have been sent but also in the timeless mistakes and omissions that have been made in the case of Varosia. He also noted the need to resume negotiations on a solution to the Cyprus problem, stressing that it would require the Greek Cypriot administration to include areas of the city that are included in all territorial settlement plans in recent years.
Turkish plans for Famagusta are progressing. What actions is the municipality taking? Is there coordination with the Government?
From the first moment, the Municipality of Famagusta reacted immediately. A letter of protest has been sent to the Secretary General. of the UN Ms. Guterres, through Ms. Spehar, letters were sent to the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council in Cyprus, and we requested an immediate meeting with Ms. Spehar. We have spoken with the President of the Republic of Cyprus and demanded dynamic intervention and reaction to the leaders of the European Union in the United Nations. and in countries that can influence Turkey. There is daily contact with the Foreign Minister to coordinate our actions. The plenary session of the Municipal Council met extraordinarily on Saturday at the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Famagusta in Deryneia and was followed by a procession and a sitting event at the roadblock. The mayor is on television and radio stations every day, presenting the positions of the Municipality of Famagusta, regarding the illegal actions of Turkey and the pseudo-state for the enclosed area of Famagusta. We have given an interview to the Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Kypris Postasi" emphasizing that the actions of the Turks are against any notion of international law. We have called for our transition to the EU. and a visit to New York is scheduled for the end of May for UN meetings. Protests will take place inside Cyprus with the participation of the people of Famagusta, as well as contacts with our progressive Turkish Cypriot citizens, who oppose the actions of Turkey and the pseudo-government.
Did you have any meetings with representatives of international organizations or other states? What are the reactions you receive?
As I have mentioned, we are waiting for the direct meeting with Ms. Spehar, who represents the body that bears direct responsibility for the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions, such as 550 and 789. We are waiting to settle with the Minister. Outside an extraordinary meeting, to arrange visits to decision centers. Announcements have already been issued emphasizing the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789 by the embassies of France, Russia and the United Kingdom.
Apart from the protests, do you think that Turkish plans can be tackled and how?
In order for the Turkish plans to be addressed, there must be a consensus between the Government and the parties regarding the actions taken to prevent the illegal plans of the Turkish Government and the pseudo-state. It is recommended that the National Council convene immediately with the sole purpose of Famagusta. Creation of a group of diplomats - lawyers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Municipality of Famagusta, for immediate advice on Famagusta issues. The diplomatic attack of the Government and the political parties on centers that can affect Turkey must be daily. But a key precondition for tackling Turkish plans is the resumption of talks where they stopped at Crans Montana in 2017.
If there is finally a move to "open" the city with a return to a regime of prisoners, what will be the position of the municipality? Is this issue of concern to the people of Famagusta?
Our position is clear. The return under Turkish rule and the opening of the enclosed area of Famagusta is a violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789. Those who accept such a thing will be forced to recognize the illegal "tdbk", their property will fall under the so-called Turkish Cypriot land registry and the use of their property will be under special conditions. Such action of the Turks will be the tombstone of the Cyprus problem. The Municipality of Famagusta is accountable to the whole world of Famagusta from St. George to St. Memnon. The only acceptable solution is for the legal residents of the enclosed area of Famagusta to return under the auspices of the United Nations. as a measure of goodwill before the final solution of the Cyprus problem. The Municipality of Famagusta will demand that the areas of the city that are included in all the plans come under Greek Cypriot administration.
Owners approached to sell properties
Do you have information on whether people have already been approached for the sale of their property and by whom and if such a thing has happened?
We have long been aware that the properties of Greek Cypriot owners in Famagusta have been sold to Turks or Turkish Cypriots. These properties are mainly located outside the enclosed area or in villages. From the enclosed area, public hotel owners have also stated that they have been approached to sell their properties, but have not accepted. We, as the Municipality of Famagusta, have called on our citizens to avoid such actions. However, the state has an obligation, by establishing a compensation fund for refugees, to contribute to distressed refugees, so that they are not forced to sell their property.
Do you think that mistakes were made in the issue of Famagusta? Could better management be done?
The mistakes started in August 1974 and continue to this day. Unfortunately, there have been cases where the return of part of the city of Famagusta was very close. However, we must not forget that large areas of the Municipality of Famagusta from Larnaca Avenue and north, in all territorial plans, had the same fate as Kyrenia, Lapithos and others. So the first sinless stone I put. I have my own views and positions, but there is no reason for the past, when the loss of the whole city is very visible. The people of Famagusta are certainly disappointed and indignant. But above all, it needs the solidarity of all the people of Famagusta, away from party and other expediencies, in order to prevent Ankara's machinations with its settlers here.
Source: Phileleftheros / Frixos Dalitis
