The National Council, in the presence of the Mayor of Famagusta, where the issue of Varosi will be discussed, will be convened by the President of the Republic, said the Mayor, Simos Ioannou after a meeting at the Presidential Palace, in the presence of the President, Nikos Anastasiadis, occupied city, the Attorney General and officials.
Mr. Ioannou said that they asked President Anastasiadis that the government is ready to react to any announcements and moves made by the Turkish President in relation to the besieged city, when he visits the occupied territories on July 20.
He asked the session of the National Council, where the issue of the enclosed city of Famagusta will be discussed, to issue a unanimous decision, saying that they are not issues of Cyprus or EEZ. Each party, he said, has its own view of how we got here, but the issue is what we do now. "The decision must be unanimous. If not here's a new product just for you! "If the party leaders come out and everyone says what they want, it's better not to do it."
Information and actions that can be taken
The President of the Republic, said Mr. Ioannou, informed them about the letters and the discussions he had on the issue with the UN Secretary General, the discussion in the Council of Leaders. The position of the Municipal Council, he said, is unanimous. "The Greek Cypriots must return under the auspices of the United Nations, as provided for in UN resolutions 550 and 789. But on the other hand, we must be prepared to deal with any situation that may arise if the Greek return under Turkish rule ".
The President of the Republic, he continued, told them that he is in contact with the Legal Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassies of Cyprus abroad to do whatever is necessary to protect the enclosed area. If the enclosed city of Famagusta is lost, it will also be the tombstone of the Cyprus problem, said President Anastasiadis, according to the Mayor of Famagusta. Because, he said, the territorial one is one of the most basic criteria of the Cyprus problem "and if this part is lost, then there will be insurmountable problems and it will probably be the end of the Cyprus problem".
Asked if the moves that could be made were said, Simos Ioannou referred to the pressure that the US and the EU must exert on Turkey, at financial and other costs. President Anastasiadis, he continued, said, however, that there are countries that have great interests with Turkey and it is difficult.
The Mayor of Famagusta said that they suggested that a convening of the UN Security Council be requested if the Turkish President takes action and announcements about Famagusta, saying that it also depends on the UN Secretary General if he is ready to do so.
Asked whether President Anastasiadis shares the concern that the Turkish President will announce the return of the Greek Cypriots under Turkish rule and where they base it, Mr. Ioannou said that this is well-known and referred to statements made by Ersin Tatar yesterday in Turkey. in his speech. The Turks, he said, are moving forward with their plans very carefully, saying that Mr. Erdogan may finally announce the opening of part of the tourist area in Varosi and if the international community shows a lukewarm reaction, "then it will continue in the final stage". He can also announce the complete settlement of the city and invite the Greek Cypriot residents to return under C / C administration, he added.
The state must see these and be ready to give answers, said the Mayor of Famagusta, to those who say that if they do not return under t / c administration they will lose their property and what will be the status of these people if they return. He also referred to yesterday's statements of the Turkish Cypriot leader that Varosi belongs to EVKAF. He wondered if someone would return, he would claim his property after EVKAF. "That is why we must be ready, both politically and at a cost, but also legally, how they can be dealt with."
Asked if there are indications that the people of Famagusta want to return under Turkish rule, Mr. Ioannou said that there are and they say that if they do not allow their property will be lost anyway. "It's a move of confusion and discord. "They know what the Turks are doing."
Regarding the European Council Conclusions and whether it would be good to insist on a veto, Mr. Ioannou said that there are countries that are financially dependent on Turkey and cited Spain as an example, to which Turkish banks owe 45 billion, the same as Italy, which is exposed with 15 billion in Turkey, while German-Turkish relations "have been a given since the time of the Kaiser". These countries have interests in Turkey and it is not easy to accept these things (the veto), he added.
"Famagusta" of the Cyprus problem
Asked to comment on the view on "sandblasting of the Cyprus problem", Mr. Ioannou said that there is no such thing. If the enclosed area is lost, he said, the ¾ of the rest of Famagusta will be lost, and the whole of Cyprus will be lost. "When the largest districts of Famagusta have been settled since 1979, they have the same status as Morphou, Kyrenia, Lapithos, is this Famagusta?" The Municipality of Famagusta, he continued, is a Municipality of these areas as well. "We have the same pain that a Morfitis, a Karaviotis or anyone has with the other areas of Famagusta," he said, referring to the neighborhoods that have been settled in Famagusta.
There is, he continued, this part of the enclave which has been protected by UN resolutions since 1984 and believed that it would be a move of goodwill by Turkey to give it under the auspices of the UN "and make the city an example of peaceful cohabitation ".
"It has nothing to do with Famagusta. To stop saying this conversation ", said Mr. Ioannou.
The mayor of Famagusta recalled the July 19 protest in Deryneia and called on the world to attend "to show Erdogan and Turkey that the people of Famagusta are united on this issue."