Representatives of the Famagusta Association of the United Kingdom submitted to the Presidents of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament their formal petition for the return of Famagusta to its legal residents.
The President of the Association Dr. Vassilis Mavrou and Politburo member Costas Georgiou went to Brussels last week, where they handed over the application to Mr Van Rompuy, Barroso and Schultz, accompanied by letters and documents proving the collection of more than 50.000 signatures.
The formal application was submitted on December 9 to British Prime Minister David Cameron. A copy of the cover letter has also been sent to all members of the British and European Parliament, to all members of the Commission and to members of the Council of Europe.
The cover letters point out that the Turkish Cypriot organization "Initiative for Famagusta" recently conducted a poll in which 73% of Turkish Cypriots in Famagusta voted in favor of returning the city to its legal residents and opening its port, according to the United Nations and the European Union.
It is also stated that both sides share the same belief that the return of both the city and its port will pave the way for a comprehensive economic development program for the benefit of both communities and will act as a catalyst and driving force for achieving a final solution to the Cyprus problem.
Mr Van Rompuy, Mr Barroso and Mr Schultz are called upon to take the necessary steps to put pressure on Turkey to implement the various United Nations resolutions and the European Parliament 's declarations on the return of Famagusta to its rightful inhabitants. . It is also noted that the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee recently adopted a declaration on Famagusta, describing the return of the confidence-building measure that will bring the two communities closer together.
The official request is supported by the Turkish Cypriot Union for Democracy (London).