Tatar will reopen ‘every square metre’ of Varosha
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said their side would not stop “until every square metre” of Varosha was reopened.
Speaking to the Turkish newspaper ‘Turkiye’, Tatar said over 300 applications had been submitted to the north’s immovable property commission by Greek Cypriots both “in the south” and those living abroad asking for their properties back in the fenced-off area that has been closed to call except the Turkish military since 1974.
“It is time to draw a new roadmap,” Tatar said. “We don’t want to waste any more time, so the Greek Cypriots must sit down and reflect on their own mistakes.”
“We have proven to everyone that we want to do something about Varosha, more than anyone else actually,” he added, saying that he would continue “until the last square metre” of Varosha was opened.
“Those who oppose us must realise they are not the holders of universal truth. So, from now on we will do what we think it’s right,” he said.
The Turkish Cypriot leader added that he would meet President Nicos Anastasiades again soon, although he did not reveal exactly when. UN envoy Jane Holl Lute is due in Cyprus in the coming days. The leaders met for the first time earlier this month. Tatar described it as a social meeting. “Whatever you call these meetings… the only reality is that conditions have now changed,” he said.
The partial opening of Varosha by the Turkish side, and the visit there by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on November 15, has been widely condemned.
On Tuesday, EU Commission Vice President Josep Borrell said the issue of Varosha would remain a top priority for the bloc.
Borrell said recent events around Varosha, including President Tayyip Erdogan’s visit and statements, come at a time when attempts are underway to create space for dialogue on Cyprus settlement issues and on the wider Eastern Mediterranean.
“We are passing this message clearly to our Turkish interlocutors. I have also passed it personally to the new Turkish Cypriot leader: This is the time to support United Nations Secretary-General Guterres in his efforts to resume the Cyprus settlement talks. Spreading distrust and stoking tensions help no-one,” Borrell said.