Cyprus Famagusta Municipality is organising two anti-occupation events, 19 and 20 of September, to press on with the demand of the legitimate citizens of this Turkish occupied town to return to their homes and properties, which they were forced to abandon during the Turkish invasion of 1974.
In statements to CNA, Famagusta Mayor Alexis Galanos said that the events will highlight the importance of UN Security Council resolution 550 which considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha (fenced off area of Famagusta) by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN.
The UN holds the Turkish military responsible for the occupied town of Famagusta and has called for the return of the fenced area, abandoned since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, to its lawful inhabitants. Ankara has so far refused to comply with repeated UN calls to that effect.
''We consider the issue of Famagusta, the ghost – town, as particularly important given the commencement of direct talks between the two leaders of the two communities in Cyprus” Galanos told CNA.
He added that the anti-occupation events ''will underline issues like UNSC resolution 550 regarding the resettlement of the inhabitants of the occupied town of Famagusta, the High Level Agreements and the Famagusta issue in general as a basic confidence building measure”.
The first event will be organised on September 19th in the presence of President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, who will deliver the main speech. The event will be addressed by the Mayor of Famagusta and former Greek EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou.
The event will be attended, among others, by a delegation of the Greek Parliament, Members of the European Parliament, British MPs, other Mayors and personalities.
On the next day, 20th of September, a torchlight procession will be organised towards the Dherynia crossing point.
Famagusta Municipality will present a petition to the UN, the embassies of the five permanent UNSC member states and EU member states.
Galanos also said that during the first event, the Cypriot champion football team of Anorthosis Famagusta FC will be honored by the Municipality of Famagusta for its success to become the first Cypriot team to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage.
