Turks reject European resolution on Varosha

Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot administration have criticized a European Parliament vote on Varosha, saying the EPP resolution ignores Turkish Cypriots on the island and “unjustly” accuses Turkey.

The European Parliament on Thursday adopted an amendment to a resolution on Varosha, calling on the European Council to impose sanctions on Turkey over the partial reopening of the coastal ghost town.

The resolution titled “Escalating tensions in Varosha following the illegal actions by Turkey and the urgent need for the resumption of talks” states that further sanctions “can only be avoided through dialogue, sincere cooperation and concrete progress on the ground.”

But Ankara rejected the resolution, saying it “was undoubtedly dictated by the Greek Cypriot Administration” and going on to say that it “revealed once again the extent the EP was prejudiced and disconnected from the realities on the Cyprus issue.”

Turkish Foreign Minsitry spokesperson Hami Aksoy said in a statement that Ankara was calling on the EP and EU to “face the realities” on the divided island, arguing that the Cyprus Problem was taking hostage of Turkey-EU relations.

“If this approach and mentality are maintained, it would not be possible for the EU bodies to make a constructive contribution to the settlement of the Cyprus issue,” Aksoy said.

Newly-elected Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar also slammed the resolution, saying the amendment was “ignoring the existence of the Turkish Cypriots” and “unjustly accusing Turkey.”

A statement from the office of the Cypriot leader in the north also went on to accuse the EU of appearing “more than ready” to be exploited by the “Greek Cypriot administration’s plot,” referring to the government of the Republic of Cyprus in the south.

Greek Cypriots in the south have condemned recent actions on Varosha by Turkey and Turkish Cypriots, arguing that re-opening the town under Turkish Cypriot administration was in violation of UN resolutions and an obstacle to peace on the island.

The statement from Tatar’s office slammed the EP for being “concerned about the status of property rights” of Greek Cypriots, saying the resolution distorted the truth over the issue.

Turkey and Turkish Cypriots maintain there are no violations of any UN resolutions, arguing the move came about after decades of peace talks on a federal solution model were unsuccessful.

On Wednesday, Tatar vowed not to halt revitalization operations in Varosha “until every last square metre” is reopened.