The Mayor of the occupied city, Alexis Galanos, sees Turkish settlement interests in Famagusta, commenting on the scenarios published in the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press for the opening of the besieged city, while talking about "bluffs" and "tactics".
The Mayor of Famagusta is holding a series of contacts on the issue with government and United Nations officials, while he is expected to hold a press conference on the issue on Friday, at 11:30 am.
Speaking to KYPE, Mr. Galanos stated that he met this morning with the negotiator of the Greek Cypriot side Andreas Mavrogiannis, while tomorrow, Thursday, he will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulidis and the Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulidis. Next, he will see on Monday the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar.
"We insist that the only viable and operational development on the Famagusta issue… is the return [of the closed section] based on Security Council resolutions and resolutions 550 and 789, under the auspices of the United Nations and of course under Greek rule," he said. Mr. Galanos, while adding that the issue will be addressed at tomorrow's session of the Municipal Council.
"A number of people may want to go and it is their right," he said, but added that they would return to a city that needs to be rebuilt. He added, at the same time, that in this way "recognition is given to the occupation regime".
"In fact, behind the plans - if there are such plans - are Turkish interests in the settlement of Famagusta" and the service of Turkish economic interests, said the Mayor of Famagusta.
He went on to say that the Turkish side is playing with the feelings of the refugee world, which, in addition to the desire to return, feels "severely wronged and discredited all these years".
"But the logic of things dictates that this is a bluff, a game, a tactic," said Mr. Galanos and expressed the view that the vast majority of the people of Famagusta will not return under these conditions.
In September the big anti-occupation event of the Municipality
Speaking to KYPE, Mr. Galanos also mentioned that the big anti-occupation event of the Municipality in Deryneia is planned this year for September 30. The reason for choosing this date is, according to the Mayor, the difficulty of the refugee world to participate due to the summer holidays.
Our big event will be more effective if it takes place in September, said Mr. Galanos, but said that an open session of the Municipal Council will be held on August 14, where a resolution will be adopted and a discussion on Famagusta and the Cyprus issue will follow.
The meeting will be open to any interested citizen of Famagusta, said Mr. Galanos, while stating that the details will be decided during tomorrow's meeting of the Municipal Council.
Source: POLITHS