Nikos Stelgias
Preparations have begun within Varosha ahead of the upcoming visit of the Turkish President. Recent information points suggests that the Turkish government is moving ahead with significant interventions and revamp projects on the coastal front of the fenced-off city, which was re-opened by Turkish Cypriot authorities, with Turkey’s support, earlier this month.
The Turkish Minister of Environment and Urban Planning, Murat Kurum, visited Varosha on Wednesday. Kurum went over renovation plans for several sections of the coastal front, which is set to be revamped ahead of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the area on November 15.
Turkey’s plans foresee the planting of trees and the repaving of paths for bicycles and pedestrians along the Varosha coastal front. The project is a joint undertaking of the Konya Municipality and TOKİ, Turkey's government backed housing agency.
On Monday, in joint statements with Ersin Tatar, Erdogan expressed the desire to have a picnic in Varosha during his visit to the north on the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of the ‘TRNC’.
Ankara’s point of view
Kurum’s visit on Wednesday also featured the Turkish ‘Ambassador’, the President of TOKİ, the Mayor of Konya, and representatives of the Turkish Cypriot leadership.
In statements during his visit to Varosha, Kurum sent the message that Varosha is land that rightfully belongs to Evkaf, the Turkish Cypriot foundation that manages religious endowments, but the land later changed ownership.
