The UN Security Council does not want the Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkey to reopen an abandoned seaside resort in Cyprus after 47 years. The 15 members of the Security Council have condemned the plan of Turkish President Erdogan and Northern Cypriot President Ersin Tatar. They demand an immediate revocation of the decision.
The Varosha neighborhood in the city of Famagusta was once the heart of a popular seaside resort. But after a Greek Cypriot coup in 1974, Turkey forcibly occupied the northern part of Cyprus, where Famagusta is also located. All Greek Cypriot residents had to flee the city and since then Varosha has been a ghost town, gated and guarded by military personnel.
In 2020 Varosha was reopened to visitors. And this week Erdogan and Tatar unilaterally decided that housing can be resumed.
The plans stand in the way of a reunification of Cyprus, according to the UN. After the Turkish invasion, the island consists of two parts: a Greek part, officially the Republic of Cyprus, and a Turkish part. The independent Republic of Cyprus is a member of the EU. The country is not recognized as a state by Turkey, while the Turkish part is internationally recognized only by Turkey.
This situation has caused tensions for decades and repeated attempts have been made to resolve the issue, but so far without result.
Look below for images from Varosha taken last year.
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