The government of Cyprus has filed a formal request with the United Nations in protest after a provocative move by Turkey in which Ankara announced that it will reopen a section of the abandoned coastal city of Famagusta.
The city is a part of an occupied “no man’s land” that has been under the control of the Turkish military since the Turks first invaded the East Mediterranean island in 1974.
The Cypriot government has requested that the UN reaffirm an already existing Security Council resolution and condemn the move. However the fact that the UK also has piece of the town and more does not matter at the moment.
Furthermore, the internationally recognized government of Cyprus has demanded that Ankara reverse its decision and return the area to its previous status as a no-man’s land.
Varosha, which is a suburb of the larger city of Famagusta, has been closed off to the outside since 1974, when Turkey invaded Cyprus and occupied the northern third of the island.
The 40,000 Greek residents who lived in Famagusta were forced to flee the advancing Turkish armed forces, who fenced off the abandoned city shortly after its capture.
Ankara’s move to reopen the Varosha has prompted a massive international outcry as it violates several United Nations resolutions and raises obstacles in the ongoing efforts for the resumption of Cyprus settlement talks.
Greece also said it would refer the matter to the upcoming EU leaders’ meeting, which is scheduled for mid-October, and warned that Turkey’s attempt to inflame the situation on Cyprus could trigger economic sanctions against Ankara unless the latter reverses the decision.
New Europe / ABC Flash Point News 2020.
Turkey seems to be very busy in the neighborhood?
Experiencing a intrusion in the Land of Noah?