President Nicos Anastasiades of the Republic of Cyprus contacted the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last night by phone. They discussed various issues, including the Turkish threat to open the city of Varosha.

During the conversation, President Anastasiadis stressed the serious danger of such a decision, which would completely contradict the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and have a very negative impact on the efforts to resume the negotiations launched in Crans Montana.

The President of the Republic noted that Turkey’s intentions with regard to Varosha, as well as its general provocative behavior within the Cypriot EEZ, clearly indicate that Ankara plans to abandon the previously agreed solutions and it will be a tombstone in the hope of reunification of Cyprus.

The President therefore called for intervention and reiterated his proposal for the establishment by the two sides of a committee that would deal with the reconstruction of the city and the settlement of its legitimate residents. This would be a significant confidence-building measure and could facilitate the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus question.

The President of the Republic reiterated his readiness to resume the negotiations from the moment they were interrupted in Crans Montana.

The UN Secretary General listened carefully to the President of the Republic and assured him that he would take appropriate measures to comply with UN resolutions.

Source: Cyprus government