Greek-Cypriots protest Turkey's Erdogan visit to north

Record ID: 1627527

  • Title: Greek-Cypriots protest Turkey's Erdogan visit to north
  • Date: 19th July 2021
  • Summary: VAROSHA, CYPRUS (JULY 9, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BUILDINGS IN VAROSHA
  • Embargoed: 2nd August 2021 23:10
  • Keywords: Cyprus Erdogan North Varosha protest
  • Location: DHERINIA AND VAROSHA, CYPRUS
  • City: DHERINIA AND VAROSHA, CYPRUS
  • Country: Cyprus
  • Topics: Europe
  • Reuters ID: LVA003EMIAWCN
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Greek-Cypriot protesters gathered in the south of the island on Monday (July 19) to oppose a visit by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to the north and his calls for a two-state solution to the island's division.
    Erdogan is on a two-day visit to northern Cyprus where he promised Turkish Cypriots to build a new government complex to symbolize the state of northern Cyprus, which he said the world would "sooner or later" recognize despite near-universal opposition.
    The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is only recognized by Ankara. Erdogan also reiterated his support for a two-state solution.
    Greek Cypriots - the island's internationally recognized government and an EU member - refuse to discuss a two-state formula.
    For decades, the United Nations has been attempting to piece Cyprus back together as a bi-zonal federation. In April, it failed to bridge disagreements over restarting peace talks between the two sides.
    The east Mediterranean island was split in two in 1974 in a Turkish invasion, exactly 47 years ago on Tuesday, following a brief Greek-inspired coup.
    Only Turkey recognises Northern Cyprus as an independent state and it has no diplomatic relations with the government of Cyprus.
    Initial Turkish media reports suggested that Erdogan would visit Varosha, a deserted suburb of the municipality of Famagusta, abandoned since Turkey invaded, which would further spark tensions between the two sides.
    In October last year, Northern Cyprus reopened part of the beachfront in Varosha. Nicos Anastasiades, Cyprus's internationally recognised president, called the move then 'illegal'.
    An affluent neighbourhood of high-rise hotels, residences, and shops, Varosha's 39,000 Greek Cypriot residents fled in the invasion. For many displaced Varosha symbolizes an enduring hope of one day returning.
    It was sealed off by the Turkish military and effectively left to rot. Successive United Nations Security Council resolutions have called for the transfer of the area to the administration of the United Nations.
    Many of the protesters at Monday's rally, in the village of Dherinia, in the municipality of Famagusta, were Varosha homeowners, who expressed their wish to return, and carried banners reading, "Turkey, hands-off Famagusta/Varosha".
    "His (Erdogan) intention is to stop the efforts for a Cyprus solution, and within these new proposals they have announced for two separate states, within this framework, are actions concerning Varosha," said Famagusta mayor Simos Ioannou, who called the protest.
    "We want to send a clear message to Erdogan and the international community that Varosha must be returned to its legal residents," said 24- year-old protester Kris Rotsakis, whose family owns a house in Varosha.
    "If one day Varosha opens I want to go back because I am a Varoshian and that is how I feel," he said.
    (Production: Vassilis Triandafyllou, Marinos Meletiou, Michele Kambas, Tasos Demetriadis, Deborah Kyvrikosaios)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register