Press Releases

In her letter of reply to the President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, the President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula von der Leyen, shares the strong concerns of President Anastasiades regarding Turkey’s illegal actions in Varosha.

The President of the European Commission reiterates the EU’s condemnation of the Turkish side’s decision to open the fenced city of Varosha and the expansion of its coastal front, while calling for the reversal of all illegal Turkish actions in Varosha since October 2020. At the same time, she reaffirms the EU’s support for the Security Council resolutions on the status of Varosha, underlining that any attempt to settle any part of the city by persons other than its legitimate residents would be unacceptable and requesting the transfer of this area to the administration of the United Nations.

Furthermore, President von der Leyen points to the need for all those involved to contribute to the effort for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, including its external aspects, on the basis of the agreed UN framework, as well as the European acquis and the values on which the EU is founded. The European Commission, as stated in the letter, will continue its efforts to create a favourable climate for the resumption of negotiations.

Finally, President von der Leyen’s letter reiterates the European Commission’s support for the Confidence Building Measures (CBM) proposed by the President of the Republic, which would, inter alia, be conducive to restoring trust between the two communities and facilitate efforts to return to the negotiating table, with the aim of resolving the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions. At the same time, it is hoped that the Turkish Cypriot side will respond constructively to the proposed CBMs.

(NG)