Ozersay’s entry into Varosha is a violation of UN Resolutions

Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson, Stefanos Stefanou

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 26 July 2019, Nicosia

Yesterday’s entry of Kudret Ozersay (Note: the so-called “Foreign Minister” of the illegal regime in the occupied areas) into the fenced-off city of Varosha and the plans to open the city under the administration of the occupying power constitute a flagrant violation of the status quo and Resolutions of the United Nations, including yesterday’s Resolution that was approved by the UN Security Council for the renewal of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

This development follows the new illegal fait accompli which Turkey is provoking in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus. These are the consequences of the protracted deadlock and the absence of negotiations on the Cyprus problem. The occupation is becoming more rooted and the colonization (of the occupied territories) is deepening day by day. Turkey’s aggressive actions are also spreading to the sea as well. But, the occupying power does not encounter the international reaction that is demanded and is creating new dangerous fait accompli.

Everything converges to one point: The negotiating stalemate must be broken immediately and the preconditions should be created so that we can proceed to meaningful negotiations for a solution of the Cyprus problem based on principles. That is precisely where the President must be focused on, with the first and crucial turning point being the meeting of the two leaders on 9th August.

The President of the Republic at this meeting needs to firmly seal that the only basis for a solution is reunification on the basis of a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation with political equality of the two communities as described in the relevant UN resolutions. He should confirm his commitment to the Framework of the UN Secretary General and to the agreed convergences. That is what the UN Secretary General is calling for. This is what has been recorded in the Resolution adopted by the UN. This is what the President must do.