Security Council condemns Turkey’s plans to reopen Varosha in Cyprus

The United Nations 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 condemned the plan of Turkish President Erdogan and Northern Cyprus President Ersin Tatar. They are calling for an immediate rescission of the decision.

The Varosha district 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 Cypriots were forced to flee the city, and since then Varosha has become a ghost town, surrounded and guarded by military personnel.

In 2020 Varosha reopened to visitors. Erdogan and Tatar decided this week unilaterally that housing could resume.

The United Nations says the plans stand in the way of Cyprus’ reunification. 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 European Union. Turkey has not recognized the country as a state, while the Turkish part is recognized internationally only by Turkey.

This situation has caused tensions for decades and repeated attempts to resolve this issue but so far without result.

See below for photos of Varosha taken last year.