ΑΜΜΟΧΩΣΤΟΣ
ΑΜΜΟΧΩΣΤΟΣ
ΑΜΜΟΧΩΣΤΟΣ
T T O R
E RIGH STA
TH FAM
TO
A G U
A balanced proposal for the return and The European Parliament (EP) has repeatedly
resettlement of Famagusta, which has been voiced its support for the return of Famagusta to
under illegal occupation since the 1974 military its lawful inhabitants. Two recent actions by the EP
invasion of Cyprus by Turkey, was put forward in reflect clearly its position.
2010 by the President of the Republic of Cyprus,
In February 2012, the EP adopted a Declaration,
Mr. Demetris Christofias. The proposal aims to
calling on the Government of Turkey to act
benefit both the Greek Cypriots and Turkish
according to the United Nations Security Council
Cypriots and give a boost to the negotiations for
Resolutions 550(1984) and 789(1992), and the
a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus Problem,
Recommendations of the 2008 Report of the
by strengthening the cooperation between the
Committee on Petitions of the EP on Petition
two communities and subscribing to the
733/2004 and return the sealed-off section of
prospect of reunification.
Famagusta to “its lawful inhabitants, who must
According to the President’s Famagusta Proposal, resettle under conditions of security and peace.”
which still remains on the table, Turkey is called
More recently, in its Resolution of 29 March 2012
upon to implement United Nations Security
on the Progress Report on Turkey (2011/2889 (RSP))
Council Resolution 550 (1984) for the return
the EP “calls on the Government of Turkey to begin
of the fenced, sealed-off area to the south of
withdrawing its forces form Cyprus and to transfer
Famagusta, widely known as Varosha, under
Famagusta to the United Nations in accordance
United Nations control in order to create the
with Resolution 550 (1984) of the United Nations
conditions for the return of the displaced lawful
Security Council”.
inhabitants to their hometown.
The resettlement of Varosha, on the basis of the UN
In addition, the Proposal provides for the
Security Council Resolutions, will most certainly
restoration of the medieval town of Famagusta
have a positive spill-over effect for a comprehensive,
and the opening of the Port of Famagusta under
viable solution to the Cyprus Problem as it would
European Union (EU) supervision.
create a tangible example of cooperation and
co-existence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots on the island and serve as a symbol of
future harmony and prosperity.
Map showing the 1974 UN ceasefire line across the Republic of Cyprus.
It also shows the area of the Republic under military occupation by Turkey since 1974.
BUFFER ZONE
FAMAGUSTA SEALED-OFF SECTION (VAROSHA)
DEMARCATION LINE
U.K. SOVEREIGN BASE LINE
XXX MINEFIELDS
FAMAGUSTA: FORBIDDEN – NOT FORGOTTEN
“The asphalt on the roads has cracked in the
warm sun and along the sidewalks bushes are
growing. Today – September 1977 – the breakfast
tables are still set, the laundry still hanging and
the lamps still burning.
Varosha is a ghost town.”
Journalist Jan-Olof Bengtsson,
in the Swedish newspaper “Kvallsposten”
(24 September 1977)
The city of Famagusta is located on the eastern “The situation in the beach area of Varosha is
coast of Cyprus. Since the 1974 military invasion of worse. After its mostly Greek Cypriot inhabitants
the island by Turkey, the area to the south of the fled in 1974, more than 100 hotels and 5,000
city, Varosha, has been turned into a ghost town houses as well as businesses, public buildings,
due to the fact that it has been sealed off and restaurants, museums and schools have been
closed by the Turkish occupying army which, to this
abandoned and watched over by the Turkish
day, still maintains a garrison there.
army. Despite two Security Council resolutions –
During the second phase of the military invasion 550 (1984) and 789 (1992) – Turkey has refused
of Cyprus by Turkey on 14 August 1974, the Turkish to transfer the administration of this area to
air force bombarded Famagusta and subsequently the United Nations, but continues to sit there
the Turkish army entered the town. As a result, its like a dog in the manger.”
37,000 Greek Cypriot inhabitants were forced to
flee from the city in an effort to find a safe haven. Robert Ellis, commentator on Turkish affairs in
Overall, the Turkish military invasion and occupation the Danish and international press, in his article
in 1974 led to the forcible displacement of more “Famagusta: A forgotten city”
(“New Europe,” 22 May 2011)
than 180,000 Greek Cypriots thus causing a major
humanitarian crisis and a flagrant violation of
human rights. Turkey continues to illegally occupy
through its military forces, over 36,2% of the sover-
eign territory of the Republic of Cyprus and denies
the right of return to the forcibly displaced Cypriots. Varosha, the once thriving sector of the economy of
Famagusta and prime property site, is surrounded
Famagusta was, until 1974, a significant contributor
to the north, south and west by land and to the
to the economy of Cyprus, exceeding by far its
east by sea. Its beaches and seafront area made
proportional contribution to the island’s national
it a magnet for tourism. It is also close to what is
income. Apart from possessing over 50% of the
known since 1974 as the “UN Buffer Zone”, a zone
island’s total holiday accommodation capacity,
which runs along the ceasefire line separating the
Famagusta was also the main port in terms of
Turkish occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus,
goods and passengers mobility, a determining
from the government controlled area of the
factor for the town’ s development. In 1973, exports
Republic of Cyprus. Since 1974, Varosha’s refugees
from the Port of Famagusta represented more
await for the return to their homes and properties.
than 42% of the island’s total exports. In other
Barbed wire, concrete barricades and military
words, prior to 1974, Famagusta used to be the
warning signs erected by the Turkish occupation
leading tourist destination on the island and the
army surround Varosha, persistent in keeping
most prosperous city.
everyone out of the fenced off area.
United
Nations