Nicosia wants teeth in UNSC Varosha response

The UN Security Council on Friday will hold deliberations on Varosha after the Republic of Cyprus has urged members to call on Ankara to undo steps it has taken over the divided island’s fenced-off ghost town.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, members of the United Nations Security Council will meet on Friday during a closed session to review Nicosia’s request for members to address the opening of a Varosha beach strip opening on Thursday.

The government of the Republic of Cyprus filed the request based on Article 35 of the UN Charter, which grants power to any state to bring any dispute or situation “likely to endanger international peace and security” to the attention of the Security Council.

CNA reported that UNSC members will be briefed by Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, who will attend the session, as well as by Elizabeth Spehar, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General in Cyprus, who will weigh in via videoconference.

Reports say the government of Cyprus expects a statement out of the meeting, with preference given to a decision calling on Ankara to recall its actions on Varosha so far instead of a reaffirmation of existing resolutions.

On Thursday, Turkish Cypriot authorities opened a beach strip along Varosha’s coastline, allowing any civilians to walk to the beach for the first time after August 1974.

Greek Cypriots have demonstrated against the move, seen by many as an election gimmick by a hawkish candidate who is challenging the Turkish Cypriot leader, seen as being in the dovish camp as regards to the Cyprus Problem.