-
.
- Ελληνικά
The member of the Cypriot delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), MP Mr. George Loucaides, spoke today on behalf of the Political Group of the European United Left before the Plenary Assembly on the issue "Appeal for the return of Varosha to its lawful inhabitants", the Italian Rapporteur on behalf of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, Mr.
In his intervention, Mr Loukaides said that decades have passed since the last time the Cyprus problem was discussed in the Plenary of the CSTO, which unfortunately coincides with the sad anniversary of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey.
In his intervention, Mr Loukaides said that decades have passed since the last time the Cyprus problem was discussed in the Plenary of the CSTO, which unfortunately coincides with the sad anniversary of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey. Half a century, he added, of violation of international legality and massive violation of the human rights of the Cypriot people.
The reason for today's debate, the Cypriot MP noted, is the new fait accompli imposed by the occupying power in Varosha, perhaps the worst since the illegal declaration of the pseudo-state in 1983, which since then has been recognized only by Turkey. Turkey's actions in Famagusta, he stressed, are both illegal and in conflict with UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789, which call for the return of the City to its rightful owners under UN administration. On the other hand, he said, if the finalities in Famagusta are not revoked and are instead extended, they not only undermine, but could potentially be the tombstone of efforts to resume talks and reach a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem. If this negative development is seen in the broader context of the efforts of Turkey and its chosen leader of the Turkish Cypriot community to deviate from the agreed framework of seeking a solution of a bizonal bicommunal federation with one sovereignty, one citizenship and one international personality, with political equality as defined in the relevant UN resolutions, then the risks for Cyprus and its people are maximized.
Loucaides said that the current dichotomous status quo is not only unsustainable, but poses incalculable risks to the future and prospects of Cyprus and its people. He urged the Parliamentary Assembly to send a strong message on the need to fully respect international law, human rights and freedoms, the agreed and internationally accepted framework for a solution, including the lifting of the status quo in Famagusta and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789 on Istanbul. At the same time, he called on the CSTO to reject and condemn any action that reinforces the illegal dichotomous status quo, the consequences of which continue to be suffered not only by the Greek Cypriots through the violation of their rights but also by the Turkish Cypriots who are suffering from their gradual demographic, economic, social, cultural and political assimilation by Turkey.
From this platform, he concluded, a strong message must be sent today about the need to break the longest deadlock in the history of the Cyprus problem and support the efforts of the UN Secretary General to resume the talks from the point where they were interrupted in Crans-Montana in 2017, with full respect for the entire acquis of the talks, since we had come closer than ever before to an agreed solution. Finally, our Assembly must send a strong message of support for the vision of a free, peaceful, reunited, European Cyprus, where all the children of the Cypriot motherland, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, will enjoy the fruits of their labours and struggles in conditions of security and stability.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs to PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
Source[/P][/URL][/P]
