The "minister of transport and works" expressed his support for the "prime minister" Unal Ustel's petition for "granting a license" to a Turkish Cypriot businessman to repair and operate hotels that, as he said, he bought in the closed area of Famagusta from their Greek Cypriot owners. Erhan Arikli, according to "Yeni Bakis", as reported by the Press and Information Office.
In his statements to the newspaper, Mr. Arikli also said that, "in case the arrests continue in the south, we must also take steps. Arrest warrants must be issued in relation to those who own Turkish properties left in the south after 1963. If this is done, Greek Cypriots will be more careful," he pointed out.
Describing Varosi as "the most important weapon that will hurt the Greek Cypriots", Erhan Arikli said Mr Ustel had sent a message to the Greek Cypriots.
He added that the Turkish side should continue to take "serious steps" on the Varosi issue and said that permission is expected from the "government" in relation to properties in the cordoned off area and that it is not right to leave the area in question to the snakes.
He also referred to the issue with the TUI tourism organization, saying that "TUI brings 2-2,5 million tourists to Turkey a year. If sanctions are imposed on this issue, TUI will suffer a lot," he said and congratulated Unal Ustel for his actions on the issue.
