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The presidential condemnation of the opening of part of Varosha was unanimously approved.
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Main News
UNSC condemns Turkish plans for Varosha
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Territory, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Friday condemned plans announced by Turkey and TCs to reopen part of the fenced-off town of Varosha and called for the immediate reversal of the latest and previous actions in the area, the dailies report on Saturday
“The Security Council condemns the announcement in Cyprus by Turkish and Turkish Cypriot leaders on July 20, 2021 on the further reopening of a part of the fenced-off area of Varosha,” a statement from the UNSC said. “The Security Council expresses its deep regret regarding these unilateral actions that run contrary to its previous resolutions and statements.”
The UNSC called for the immediate reversal of this course of action and the reversal of all steps taken on Varosha since October 2020. The statement followed three days of haggling and three drafts to produce a final statement on Varosha.
The third version, which went through without objections, included the reference to the “Turkish and Turkish Cypriot leaders”, pointing specifically to their culpability, which was a reference requested by Nicosia. This had been absent from the first two drafts.
Phileleftheros and Politis note the role played by the British in this process with the aim of getting Turkey and the TC leadership off the hook. Politis reports that this improvement was made possible through the interventions of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, but also of China, India and Ireland.
In its statement, the UNSC underscored the need to avoid any further unilateral action that was not in accordance with its resolutions on Varosha which could raise tensions on the island and harm prospects for a settlement. It reaffirmed the status of Varosha set out in resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992).
It also said that any attempt to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants is inadmissible. The UNSC also stressed the importance of full respect and implementation of its resolutions, including the transfer of Varosha to UN administration and of respect for UNFICYP’s freedom of movement.
The UNSC reaffirmed its commitment to an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement in accordance with the wishes of the Cypriot people, and based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation (BBF) with political equality, as set out in relevant UNSC resolutions, and its support for the UN Secretary-General’s (UNSG) efforts. Politis reports that this means that if Turkey does not respect UN positions, the resumption of talks will be impossible.
The dailies report that government spokesman Marios Pelekanos said that in a telephone conversation, President Nicos Anastasiades requested a response from European Council President Charles Michel in order to push for a reversal of Turkey’s actions in Varosha. The paper writes that Michel told Anastasiades that the EU’s response will depend on the decisions of the UNSC. Politis reports that the issue of Varosha will be raised at the next European Council summit.
Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said the statement received strong support from permanent and non-permanent members of the UNSC, the dailies write. Speaking to the state broadcaster CyBC, Christodoulides said the statement was a tool to be used in attaining certain other goals, and added that the government would now focus on how to reverse the current state of affairs and tackle Turkey’s revisionist policy. Politis reports that Christodoulides accepted that statements alone cannot reverse faits accomplis, but noted that it would be worse if these statements weren’t issued at all.
Cyprus Mail reports that Greek diplomatic sources also expressed Athens’ satisfaction with the UNSC statement condemning the Turkish and TC leadership’s plans on Varosha.
The dailies report that Turkey rejected the UNSC statement, as well as “the statements from various countries which are based on unfounded claims and inconsistent with the realities on the Island.” The Turkish Foreign Ministry said that “all decisions taken by the TRNC authorities, within the scope of the Maras (Varosha) initiative, respect the property rights and are in full compliance with international law.” It added that contrary to claims, the relevant UNSC resolutions are not violated, noting however that the UNSC resolutions are not above property and sovereignty rights.
Turkey said the initiative will not cause new grievances but will eliminate the current ones to the benefit of everyone. It also said that the UNSC is unfortunately insisting on not noticing the realities on the ground concerning the Cyprus issue. It said that despite all the goodwill of the Turkish side, decades of efforts could not lead to a BBF settlement due to the intransigent attitude of the GC side. In the absence of such an agreement, “insisting on a federal settlement now damages the credibility of the Council,” Turkey said.
Ankara said a new process towards a just, lasting and sustainable settlement to the Cyprus issue could begin only by securing the equal sovereignty and equal international status of the TC people.
TC leader Ersin Tatar said the decision would not be reversed, claiming it was in line with international law and human rights. Tatar said Varosha was part of the TC breakaway state and the decision to open part of it was an “excellent initiative that would allow former residents and those eligible to return to their properties.”
Tatar said the return will be implemented through the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) in the north. Tatar suggested the Republic, supported by the EU and other countries was trying to scupper the initiative. He said the EU, which had failed to fulfil its promises to the TCs, was now opposed to the opening of Varosha talking about international law and human rights and keeping a pro-GC stance. “This once more reveals the EU’s hypocrisy and lack of principles,” he said.
Haravgi reports on AKEL’s reaction to developments. The paper writes that an announcement issued by the political bureau of AKEL’s central committee stresses that the definitive partition of Cyprus is more visible than ever and warns that the dangerous course of events can only be halted through the resumption of negotiations.
KEY ACTORS
UNSC
>> Condemns the announcement in Cyprus by Turkish & TC leaders on July 20, 2021 on the further reopening of a part of Varosha
>> Calls for the immediate reversal of this course of action and the reversal of all steps taken on Varosha since October 2020
>> Expresses its deep regret regarding these unilateral actions that run contrary to its previous resolutions and statements & underscores need to avoid further unilateral action which could raise tensions and harm prospects for a settlement
>> Reaffirms the status of Varosha set out in resolutions 550 (1984) & 789 (1992)
>> Any attempt to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants is inadmissible
>> Reaffirms its commitment to an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement in accordance with the wishes of the Cypriot people, based on a BBF with political equality, as set out in relevant UNSC resolutions, & its support for the UNSG’s efforts
Anastasiades
>> Requests response from Michel in order to push for a reversal of Turkey’s actions in Varosha
Michel (EU)
>> EU’s response will depend on the decisions of the UNSC
Christodoulides
>> UNSC statement received strong support from permanent and non-permanent members of the UNSC
>> Statement is a tool to be used in attaining certain other goals
>> Statements alone cannot reverse faits accomplis, but it would be worse if these statements weren’t issued at all
>> Government will now focus on how to reverse the current state of affairs and tackle Turkey’s revisionist policy
Turkey
>> Rejected UNSC statement & statements from other countries which are based on unfounded claims and inconsistent with the realities on the Island
>> All decisions taken by the TRNC authorities, within the scope of the Maras (Varosha) initiative, respect the property rights and are in full compliance with international law
>> Contrary to claims, the relevant UNSC resolutions are not violated, but also the UNSC resolutions are not above property and sovereignty rights
>> The initiative will not cause new grievances but will eliminate the current ones to the benefit of everyone
>> Despite all the goodwill of the Turkish side, decades of efforts could not lead to a BBF settlement due to the intransigent attitude of the GC side & insisting on a federal settlement now damages the credibility of the Council
>> A new process towards a just, lasting and sustainable settlement to the Cyprus issue could begin only by securing the equal sovereignty and equal international status of the TC people
Tatar
>> Varosha decision will not be reversed, since it is in line with international law and human rights
>> Varosha is part of TRNC & the decision to open part of it is an excellent initiative that will allow former residents and those eligible to return to their properties
>> The EU, which has failed to fulfil its promises to the TCs, is now opposed to the opening of Varosha, citing international law and human rights and keeping a pro-GC stance, which once more reveals the EU’s hypocrisy and lack of principles
AKEL
>> The definitive partition of Cyprus is more visible than ever & the dangerous course of events can only be halted through the resumption of negotiations