The Ambassador of the United States to Cyprus Julie D. Fisher met with Mayor of Famagusta Dr. Simos Ioannou and Dr. Sleyman Uluçay on March 5 for a joint tour of the Walled City of Famagusta, the US Embassy said in a statement issued on Tuesday, adding that they viewed historically significant sites and discussed the rich cultural heritage of the city and its importance to the island.
According to the statement, the US Ambassador recognized the long history of American support, particularly the contributions made by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) towards the restoration and preservation of historical sites like the St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral, Desdemona Park, and the Sea Gate, and towards capacity building for the civil society networks in Famagusta, adding that the restoration of shared cultural heritage sites continues to encourage connections between people and communities.
It is added that she expressed her appreciation for the commitment of Dr. Ioannou and Dr. Uluçay for the
ir shared endeavor to bring the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities together.
The United States continues its long-standing commitment to bringing Cypriots together to find a way forward for the peace and prosperity of the island, the Embassy finally notes.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. During the second phase of the Turkish incasion in August 16, 1974, Turkey took the city of Famagusta, under its control. Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a “ghost town”.
UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus
be extended to include Varosha.
On October 8, 2020, the Turkish side opened part of the fenced area of Varosha, following an announcement made in Ankara on October 6. Then, in July 2021, Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, announced a partial lifting of the military status in Varosha.
In his latest UNFICYP report, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, reiterates his concern over any new developments in the fenced-off area of Varosha and the lack of response to the Security Council’s call for a reversal of the actions taken since the announcement of the partial reopening in October 2020. The has EU also expressed concern.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
