Security Council to address Varosha

A UN press release is expected on Wednesday in response to the Republic of Cyprus’ resort will resort to the Security Council over Turkey’s moves concerning Varosha.

According to Kathimerini Cyprus, the UNSC is expected to issue a written statement reiterating resolutions 550 and 789 on Famagusta, addressing the issue of the ghost-town Varosha and attempts to settle the area.

Greek Cypriots sought reaffirmation from the Security Council following plans by Turkey to open the fenced-off ghost town in the north.

UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN, while Resolution 789 (1992) also urges that Varosha come under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades hinted at the Republic resorting to the UNSC following a visit in Varosha by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in September, who said ahead of the visit that Varosha ought to be reopened.

According to Kathimerini’s sources, a UNSC statement on Wednesday is expected to give its backing to the two resolutions and further call on peace talks to resume in an effort to reunify the divided island.

Earlier in the summer, Turkish Cypriot officials had repeatedly called for Varosha to re-open under Turkish Cypriot administration. The Turkish plans were harshly criticized in the Greek Cypriot south, immediately following an unprecedented Varosha tour by journalists, mainly Turkish nationals and Turkish Cypriots, who were invited to take photographs of the area in what media reports described as future plans to boost local tourism in the north.