The mayor of the occupied city, Alexis Galanos, expressed his sorrow that the issue of Famagusta, which should be a priority based on the UN Security Council resolutions, has been downgraded to some extent.
At a press conference on the anti-occupation event of the Municipality of Famagusta on August 6, Mr. Galanos said that Famagusta should normally have priority based on UN UN resolutions, and expressed "some bitterness because we feel that this priority "For us, and for the entire Cypriot people, it is a great paper, a great pressure on Turkey, a ghost town in Europe, which is literally being destroyed by Turkish troops and Turkish cruelty, has to some extent degraded."
The issue of Famagusta, he said, is a Confidence Building Measure, "but it is not even discussed, and all this in a sincere effort to reach a solution as soon as possible."
Mr. Galanos said that the issue of Famagusta should have continued in parallel, noting that "in case the talks do not go ahead and things are not as optimistic as some would like to present, the issue of Famagusta will go back, when after from huge efforts and with the collection of signatures made by the Municipality of Famagusta we brought the issue forward and in fact in front of the whole Cyprus issue after the rejection of the Annan plan ”.
The issue of Famagusta, he said, is something special that helps the rest of the Cyprus issue.
"Progress on the issue of Famagusta and entry of experts, what we are asking for today, leaves us free to negotiate harder and more successfully the rest of the territory, the issue of Famagusta leaves the separate territory and helps the rest of the Cyprus issue," he said. He warned that "because we are very afraid that reducing the tension on the issue of Famagusta may cost us a lot later".
Reconstruction of Famagusta
Asked if there is anything new in relation to the reconstruction of Famagusta, Mr. Galanos said that it does not exist, saying that there are various initiatives and plans being made, but stressed that the emphasis must first be on the political aspect.
What he added, "we have emphasized," with all due respect to those who try to present various plans, is that politics is much more important. "If there is a political will on the part of Turkey to open Famagusta and start with the issue of experts - because it takes years to rebuild Famagusta - it is certainly good to have plans and plans."
"However," he said, "these plans should not give the impression that political obstacles have been overcome. We want to put all our weight on the political side. Let others go ahead, we are close to them, after all, it is also the work of the Municipality of Famagusta. The appeal is to have a coordination, not to give the image of various initiatives without consultation and coordination with the Municipality of Famagusta ".
Anti-occupation event
Referring to this year's anti-occupation event on August 6, Mr. Galanos appealed to the people to attend, despite the fatigue, as he said at the age of 42.
"I hope we have a mass turnout to send the message that the city is not being abandoned and we will be very happy to see our young people being with us in this endeavor," he said.
Mr. Galanos, responding to a journalist comment that there is a deterioration of the issue of anti-occupation events, said that he does not see that there is a great degradation, he said, some may want to downgrade the various refugee issues, but "we must resist" noting that the greatest enemy is time.
He also noted that there may be a prospect of gas in the future, "if we can move forward", but added, "we must not give up our claims because we are talking about the history of this place that we must pass on to our children."
The Mayor said that at the anti-occupation event there will be a surprise regarding the program and when asked to give details he simply stated that “it will be in the procedure, something that had to be done and is directly related to the binding resolutions of the UN Security Council and which should have been promoted more decisively by the respective representative and representative of the UN Secretary General ”.
The Municipality of Famagusta invites the people of Famagusta and all Cypriots to participate in the anti-occupation events organized on Saturday, August 6.
The main speaker at the anti-occupation event at 9 pm at the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Famagusta in Deryneia will be the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulidis. The Mayor of Famagusta will also deliver a speech. Initially, there will be a welcome from the Mayor of Deryneia, Andros Karagiannis, a greeting from the Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta Vassilios, a greeting from the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament by MP Dimitrios Emmanouilidis, Vice President of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
An artistic program will follow with Alexia Vassiliou and the choir of the Municipality of Famagusta under the direction of the composer and conductor Nikos Vihas. It will be preceded by a pedestrian walk from the Cultural Center of the Municipality to the Deryneia roadblock in 2030.
Buses will be available in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca to transport those who wish to attend.
Last speech as Mayor of Famagusta
Mr. Galanos also said that this year's speech at the anti-occupation event will be his farewell speech as Mayor of Famagusta.
Asked why he is not reclaiming the City Hall, Mr. Galanos said that he has served for 42 consecutive years the Cypriot Hellenism from various positions, in Parliament, as Speaker of Parliament, as Mayor of Famagusta, and noted that "I think there is something called a crew of time ”.
However, he stated that he will not stop fighting for Famagusta and its place.
"I continue to hope for the day of return and that I will be there on the day of return," he concluded.
Source: KYPE