His ambition is to express the people of Varos, who are determined to resist the process of finalizing the occupation and the division, which will mean the final write-off of Varos, says the candidate for mayor of Famagusta, Simos Ioannou, to KYPE, noting that The mayor must be able to persuade the Turkish Cypriots and strengthen the two-communal demand for the return of the occupied city to its rightful inhabitants.
In an interview with KYPE, in view of next Sunday's elections for the appointment of the new mayor of Famagusta, after the death of Alexis Galanos, Mr. Ioannou pointed out that the Municipality of Famagusta should soon lead the fight for the solution of the Cyprus problem. , release and reunification.
"The next mayor of Famagusta must lead the effort to rediscover the issue of our city at European and international level as an urgent priority. It must also be someone who can convincingly address the Turkish Cypriots in order to strengthen as a bipartisan demand for the return of the city to its legal residents ", he underlined, when asked about what is happening recently in the occupied territories in relation to Famagusta. .
"We are in the most critical moment since 1974. For Famagusta, for the Cyprus issue but also for Cyprus itself. There is no doubt that Ozersay and Tatar acted illegally, violating the status quo in Famagusta in an unacceptable way and outside the framework set by the relevant UN resolutions (550) and (789) ", said Mr. Ioannou.
"This, combined with the dangerous phase of the Cyprus problem, creates enormous tasks and challenges for the Municipality of Famagusta, which has always been a challenge to the struggle against occupation and division," he said.
Asked about the goals and priorities he has set while claiming the town hall of Famagusta, Mr. Ioannou said that the first goal is "to unite all the people of Varosi and to become a driving force for the return to Famagusta, for the solution, for the liberation and the reunification".
"Let's mobilize even more resolutely internationally for the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on Famagusta. Let's talk to the new generation of Varosians about the historical truth, about the causes and causes that were lost, or rather better betrayed Varosi and half of Cyprus, about the unique heritage they carry and the need not to leave our favorite city a memory " , write down.
Mr. Ioannou expressed the belief that the mayor of Famagusta acquires greater room for maneuver the greater the unity of the people of Varos, which "does not mean tolerance or concealment of those who consciously or unconsciously lead us to division. It is the unity of the struggle to live again in Varosi and not to live forever with the memory of the lost Varosi ".
Asked to say how his own candidacy differs from the others, Mr. Ioannou said that he belongs to the people of Varos who know very well why and by whom the city was lost.
"To the people of Varosi who did not miss any action, event, initiative of the Municipality of Famagusta to keep the memory and hope alive. To the people of Varos who know that the anti-occupation action and the struggle to return to Varosi, not only is not opposed, but is strengthened by the rapprochement of the two communities and the alliance with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots who want and fight for solution and reunification, "he said.
"I testify to this by our fellow citizens, along with a three-decade presence in the City Council in various positions and in the social situation of the city, where I had the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life, always in a spirit of consensus and cooperation, "he said.
Asked if he expects mass participation of the people of Famagusta in the elections, Mr. Ioannou pointed out that in the last municipal elections the participation of the people of Famagusta was very low, at about 40%.
"Despite the fact that this frustration is largely justified, I believe that in these critical times, we must all look to the last glimmer of hope and join forces in the fight for return," he said.
He called on his allies to take part in the August 25 elections, saying "this will be a clear and unequivocal message that Famagusta remains a priority in our hearts and minds."
Source: KYPE
