Turkey’s promise to resettle an abandoned Greek town in northern Cyprus has been widely condemned. Washington’s accession to the European Union and the United Kingdom called the move “unacceptable.”
After Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the plan on the 47th anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus, criticism grew within a few hours. Two-State Solution During a visit to Nicosia, I went to the island’s department.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged Turkey to revoke this decision. He expressed any attempt to reopen the former resort. Varosha, Now known as a ghost town, will be inconsistent with UN resolutions and promises to resume peace talks.
He said in a statement: “The United States is working with like-minded partners to submit this worrying situation to the UN Security Council and will urge a strong response.”
Previously, the Head of European Union Foreign PolicyJosep Borrell also expressed concern, saying that the move may increase ethnic tensions in a war-torn country.
“Erdogan’s unilateral decision announced today and [the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin] The Tatars may increase tensions on the island and affect the return of negotiations for a comprehensive settlement. Cyprus Question,” Borrell wrote on Twitter.
Varosha is different from other areas of the island occupied by Turkish troops in 1974, when Ankara ordered an invasion-after trying to unite Cyprus with Cyprus Greece – It is still a military zone, which is blocked by barbed wire along with most of the waterfront. It has become a symbol of hope for the thousands of Greek Cypriots displaced from coastal towns due to the invasion.
Ankara raised its bet in October, announcing that it would begin to take advantage of this once-popular tourist destination by opening up a stretch of coastline and carrying out clean-up activities.
On Tuesday, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus-only recognized by Ankara in the 38 years since its declaration of independence-went a step further, saying that parts of the area would be demilitarized and restored to civilian use for potential resettlement.
The Greek Cypriots claim that the move to change the status of the region is the first step in the territory that the United Nations has long believed should be returned to its “rightful owners.”
But when he visited the divided capital of the island this week, Erdogan was in a particularly good mood.
“We will not accept their suggestions…We will do what we need to do,” he retorted in a speech, saying that the EU refused to accept the two countries’ solution to the dispute. “The international community will accept this reality sooner or later.”
Brussels advocates the reunification of the two communities in the dual-region federation, but has ruled out discussing a solution that would lead to the permanent division of EU member states.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted this month that the 27-member EU united against a two-state solution, saying it would never accept it.
On Wednesday, the internationally recognized area of southern Cyprus controlled by Greece said it had called on the UN Security Council to intervene in Turkey’s controversial move.
“This is a clear violation of the UN Security Council resolution and will have a negative impact on the ongoing efforts to restart negotiations,” said Cyprus Foreign Minister Nicos Christolides.
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias described Turkey’s plan as a clear attempt to “create a new fait accompli, once and for all bury the prospect of Cyprus’ unification”.
As the guarantor of the former royal colonies, the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey also called for restraint and expressed that they would raise this issue as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
“The UK calls on all parties not to take any actions that would disrupt the settlement process in Cyprus or increase tensions on the island,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
