The return of Famagusta may still be the most ideal Confidence Building Measure, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said on Wednesday night, noting that the government would insist on the proposal to open the airport of Tymbos and the port of Famagusta in exchange for the return of the enclosed city.
The Foreign Minister, who was speaking at an event organised by the Famagusta Municipality in Limassol in honour of the late former Mayor, Alexis Galanos, said, "the return of Famagusta would have been - and may still be - the most ideal MOU, which would have convinced anyone who doubted that it paved the way for the solution of the Cyprus problem, as Alexis Galanos persistently and urgently argued".
Assuring that "we will continue the struggle for vindication", Mr. Kasoulides said that in all discussions on the settlement plans and in the latest negotiations, there was no doubt that the first to be returned and handed over to its legitimate inhabitants was Famagusta, as confirmed by the Guterres framework.
However, he continued, the Turkish side carried out "the well-known shameful and unacceptable actions in the enclosed town of Varosha, in violation of international law", while Cyprus' request for sanctions against Turkey met with the negative attitude of some member states.
The President of the Republic, noted Ioannis Kasoulides, in response to this attitude, reiterated the proposal he sent to the UN Secretary General on 31 December 2020, to place the airport of Tymbos under the supervision of the United Nations, by analogy with the resolutions on Famagusta, in exchange for the return of the enclosed town of Varosha to its legitimate inhabitants. He reminded that the package of the proposal also includes the port of Famagusta, whose customs will be placed under EU supervision to control the entry of goods into the single market.
In order to do both, he added, Turkey should proceed with the full implementation of Ankara's Additional Protocol and open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and planes.
In order to do both, he added, Turkey should proceed with the full implementation of Ankara's Additional Protocol and open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and planes.
"An ambitious proposal with mutual benefits for both sides, without, however, implying that the Republic of Cyprus abdicates its sovereignty," he underlined, adding that "our wish is that its implementation is irreversible, so that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can face the prospect of a solution with the hope of a prosperous state and not the fear of the uncertain status quo."
"An ambitious proposal with mutual benefits for both sides, without, however, implying that the Republic of Cyprus abandons its sovereignty," he underlined, adding that "our wish is that its implementation is irreversible, so that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can face the prospect of a solution with the hope of a prosperous state and not the fear of the uncertain status quo.
Kasoulides noted that the reaction of "our interlocutors" to the proposal for Confidence Building Measures, such as US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, as well as Brussels and European partners, is recorded as positive.
At the same time, he expressed hope that the attitude of the TCs would be positive, indicating that "despite the public rejection from the outset, various circles in the occupied territories seem to be seriously discussing the prospects that this proposal may have".
"We need to save Varosha by promoting the MoU and we will stick to our proposal," he continued, expressing confidence that if we move forward with these measures, the climate will change and the ground will be prepared to move from the current disbelief to greater hope and expectation regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Referring to Alexis Galanos, the Foreign Minister said that words are poor to describe his contribution and work for his beloved homeland, noting that thanks to his struggles "for the Kingdom of his heart, his figure has been engraved in the consciousness of all Cypriots as inextricably linked to Famagusta".
"From the last post he served, until the last day of his life, he achieved with his prestige, international experience and radiance, the internationalization of the Famagusta issue", Mr. Unfortunately, Alexis Galanos passed away on July 15, 2019, with his unfulfilled wish to be the first citizen of Famagusta to tread freely on its fair sands.
The event was addressed by the Mayor of Famagusta, Simos Ioannou, who said that Alexis Galanos was "a dear friend, a great politician, who was distinguished by a deep love for his country and especially for his city, Famagusta, linked his long political career with his insistence and his struggles for the return of Vassiliou, as he used to say, to its rightful inhabitants".
In Alexis Galanos' political career, he added, Famagusta was always among his priorities and his motivation to continue the struggle and recalled his initiative that resulted in the collection of 30,000 signatures, which formed the basis of a major enlightenment campaign in Cyprus, but mainly abroad.
Simos Ioannou assured that he and the municipal council, "we continue with all the strength we have and will continue the struggle for Famagusta and Cyprus as a whole" and announced that, at its meeting on 17 March 2022, the municipal council unanimously decided, as a sign of minimum honour, to give the name of Alexis Galanos to the large hall at the Cultural Centre of the Municipality, in Deryneia.
During the event, Alexandra Galanos, wife of Alexis Galanos, recited her poem "A Sunday that was not a celebration", while his son, Christos Galanos, receiving a sculpture by the artist Filippos Yapanis, entitled "Eleftheria", thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Municipality of Famagusta and the attendees.
The event concluded with a musical tribute by the choir of Famagusta Municipality.
Source: CNA
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
