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Cyprus President Slams Reopening of Varosha Resort as 'Illegal'

© AFP 2023 / BIROL BEBEKA view of deserted buildings of the tourist area of Varosha, in the fenced off area of Famagusta, in the Turkish-occupied north of the divided eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus, on October 6, 2020
A view of deserted buildings of the tourist area of Varosha, in the fenced off area of Famagusta, in the Turkish-occupied north of the divided eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus, on October 6, 2020 - Sputnik International
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The authorities of the breakaway Turkish part of Northern Cyprus announced they would reopen the resort for tourists on Thursday, despite United Nations Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789, which condemn all resettlement attempts in the area.

"The decision by Turkey and the occupation regime to extend part of the fenced-in city for use ... is an illegal and clear violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions", Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades stated.

Meanwhile, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas has also urged Turkish authorities to step back, adding that otherwise Greece and Cyprus will bring the issue before an EU summit scheduled for 15-16 October.

© AFP 2023 / PATRICK BAZA street of the deserted Cypriot sea resort of Varosha on the southeastern coast of the Meditarranean island under Turkish-Cypriot control and dubbed "The Ghost Town" is overun by weeds 01 March
Cyprus President Slams Reopening of Varosha Resort as 'Illegal' - Sputnik International
A street of the deserted Cypriot sea resort of Varosha on the southeastern coast of the Meditarranean island under Turkish-Cypriot control and dubbed "The Ghost Town" is overun by weeds 01 March

The resort was abandoned by Greek Cypriots fleeing war in 1974 when the island nation was divided by a conflict between Turks, supported by Ankara, and Greeks. As a result, the once-popular resort town of Varosha remained a ghost town for decades.

The reopening of the resort comes amid mounting tensions between the EU and Turkey, as the latter sent its research vessels for gas and oil exploration to the Mediterranean waters already claimed by Cyprus and Greece.

Since 1974, the northern part of the island has been under the control of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognised by Ankara.

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