The Municipality of Famagusta welcomes the approval by the Plenary of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (CACE) on Thursday with a majority, of the Resolution of the Rapporteur of the Committee of Political Affairs and Democracy of the Assembly, Piero Fassino on the subject "Call for the return of the citizens of Varos to their legal its inhabitants.
It is noted that the contribution of the member of the Cypriot delegation to the Political Affairs and Democracy Committee where the issue was discussed, George Loukaidis, as well as the head and other members of the Cypriot delegation, was of decisive importance for the positive outcome of the resolution and the inclusion of particularly important references, and in the form of amendments, through which, among other things, a clear reference is made to invasion and occupation and which in their entirety concern the Cyprus problem and the special issue of Famagusta.
It is added that the main concern of the Cypriot MPs, in addition to refuting the well-known Turkish claims, was to highlight the dangers posed by Turkey's illegal actions with the partial "opening" of the closed city of Famagusta and the consequences of the continuation of the present unacceptable situation for the prospects of solving the Cyprus problem.
It is noted that the Resolution as adopted refers to the need to withdraw Turkey's illegal actions in the closed area of Famagusta, "which, as pointed out, make difficult the prospect of resuming talks to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the agreed United Nations solution framework which provide for a solution of bizonal bicommunal federation with one sovereignty, one international personality and one citizenship".
On the subject of Famagusta, it is stated, "the Resolution also considers as the only feasible solution the return of the city to its legal inhabitants, through the implementation of resolutions 550 and 789 of the United Nations Security Council or as part of a package of confidence-building measures, strengthening thus the efforts to achieve a comprehensive solution".
At the same time, the Resolution expresses, as stated, support for the efforts made by the personal Envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Maria Angela Holguin, for the resumption of negotiations.
"Furthermore, he points out that the Turkish claims for a "two-state" solution in Cyprus as well as Turkey's unilateral actions deviate from the agreed solution framework and calls on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to implement the Famagusta related United Nations resolutions and return in the dialogue", it is added.
The Resolution also states that the ongoing division in Cyprus harms the interests of the entire Cypriot people and may, at any moment, endanger stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
"It reiterates the principled position of the Council of Europe for the reunification of Cyprus and the achievement of a fair, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem that ensures the legitimate interests of the two communities, and expresses the Organization's readiness to contribute in this direction," it states.
It is noted that the Resolution was approved "with a significant majority", while only Turkish MPs voted against it.
