Speech by the newly-elected Mayor of the Municipality of Famagusta Simos Ioannou
Dear friends,
Dear fellow citizens of Varosha,
Yesterday all of Famagusta and all the citizens of Famagusta were winners. A candidate didn’t win, nor those who voted for him. It was our city that won!
There is only one mandate: unity and struggle to return. That’s precisely how I interpret yesterday’s result. That’s how I have acted all these years and that’s how I will lead the Famagusta Municipality.
I would like to warmly thank all our fellow citizens who participated in yesterday’s election process, whatever choice they may have made, sending the message that Varosha remains alive and a priority in our hearts and minds.
My heartfelt thanks go to my competitors as their candidacies and presence offered the opportunity for a short but – I believe – constructive and civilized democratic dialogue to be conducted.
Permit me to address special thanks to all those who supported and worked all through these days for my election. I thank my Party, AKEL. I also warmly thank the parties that supported my candidacy (the Democratic Party, the Citizens’ Alliance and the Democratic Front), but also all the non-attached fellow citizens who believed in and supported my candidacy.
I would like to take this opportunity to send a message of co-operation, common struggle and friendship to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots. I strongly believe that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots should struggle TOGETHER against a possible colonization of Famagusta and for the implementation of the UN Resolutions on Famagusta which provide for the return of its lawful residents under the administration of the UN. If we manage to do so, Famagusta will emerge as a living example of peaceful co-existence and co-operation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, a small model of a future united Cyprus, living proof that we can do it. At the same time, it will reveal the enormous prospects and dynamics that the overall solution of the Cyprus problem, liberation and reunification, peace can unleash. Reunification is the great kick start our country needs. And that can begin with the opening and return of our city.
Dear friends,
Famagusta is facing a huge danger that will provoke irreparable fait accompli. The actions that Mr. Ozersay and Mr. Tatar have set in motion for an opening of the city flagrantly violate international law and UN Security Council Resolutions and are undermining the effort to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. Fortunately, a large section of Turkish Cypriots do not agree with these actions. From this podium too, I call on Mr. Ozersay and Mr. Tatar not to proceed to these steps, but to choose the path of peace and the Resolutions of the UN on Famagusta. Therein lies the just cause and interest of all Cypriots. Therein lies the edge of the darkness that leads to a future of peace and prosperity.
In the face of this given situation, the Municipality of Famagusta must be active by taking its own share of activities.
Towards this end, we will seek to:
Firstly. We will ask the President of the Republic to convene as soon as possible a special session of the National Council exclusively on the issue of Famagusta and the dangers, on the measures and policy that must be charted.
Secondly. As a Municipality, we shall act decisively in the period ahead at an international and European level to raise the issue of our city and to seek practical support for the implementation of the Resolutions of the UN. We will also do the same towards the direction of the Turkish Cypriot community.
Thirdly. We shall intensify the preparation for the time of return. We will update the Immediate Action Plan and the overall planning for the return and reconstruction of the city in cooperation with the Reconstruction and Resettlement Council, with universities and other agencies. The reconstruction of the enclosed area of the city, the opening of the port and the restoration of the monuments of the medieval city of Famagusta will represent major challenges for modern Cyprus. They will give a spectacular boost to the growth and economy of our entire island. A real and solid growth that will truly serve the country. The opening of Famagusta will represent a huge step forward, with enormous benefits for the whole of Cyprus and for all Cypriots. For both refugees and non-refugees. And not only for the citizens of Varosha
Finally, perhaps the most decisive challenge we citizens of Varosha face is with ourselves. With our identity. With our memory and consciousness. That’s why we seek to attach due importance to actions, activities and initiatives that revitalize the ties and relations of the citizens of Varosha, which transmit to the young generations the identity of being a citizen of Varosha and the belief in a return to Varosha, for a solution based on principles, for freedom and reunification.
Dear friends,
Dear citizens of Varosha,
The bar set by all the former elected Mayors of our city, the late Adamos Adamantos, Andreas Pougiouros and Alexis Galanos, as well as by my beloved Kikis Kazamias and Yiannakis Skordis, is really very high.
That is why I will work with all my strength – but above all in a collective and unifying spirit – to meet the aspirations of our fellow citizens, the critical challenges and dangers facing Famagusta and the Cyprus problem as a whole.
My sole ambition was and remains to unite and express the citizens of Varosha who do not compromise with the occupation and division; to unite and express the citizens of Varosha in the struggle to return to our beloved city in conditions of freedom, security and peace; to return and revitalize the city that belongs to us, its lawful owners, our children and grandchildren. All of us who do not want to live with the memory of Varosha, but who want to live in Varosha itself.
On the soil we took our first steps on. On the land we are always nostalgic for.
All of us who remain faithful to the spring of our beloved Famagusta.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Good strength and return to Famagusta.
26th August 2019
