Varosha

Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar has stated that the long-term goal of his country is to reconstruct the once-abandoned area of Varosha in order to reintegrate it into the national economy.

Turkish newspaper Sozcu has drawn attention to Varosha, an abandoned area in Famagusta, calling it the "Las Vegas of the Mediterranean." The paper says it would take $10 billion to bring the ghost town back to life after being abandoned for 50 years.

The American Hellenic Institute released a statement on Thursday to mark the 49th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and called for an end to the occupation.

AHI condemned proposals of a "two-state solution" for the island as well as Turkey's reopening of the beach at Varosha.

The allegation that three hotels in Turkish Cyprus' Varosha city have been sold to a Turkish businessman by their Greek owners has sparked concerns in the Greek administration as the sale or transfer of real estate in the area opened to civilian visits three years ago after a 46-year hiatus is under the control of a commission.

Some 530,000 people have visited the beaches of North Cyprus' Varosha in two years since it was opened after some 46 years, the daily Milliyet has reported.

"Varosha was opened to civilians in 2020. Vehicles are still not allowed to enter. One can wander inside the area on foot or bicycles," the daily highlighted.

By George Gilson

The Republic of Cyprus is turning to the permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) - China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US - to brief them on Turkey's moves on the ground to re-open of the fenced-off seaside resort of Varosha (part of  the city of Ammochostos) in the Turkish-occupied area of the island, in violation of UNSC resolutions.

By George Gilson

Even as Turkey is blocking seismic research by the research vessel Nautical Geo in the Exclusive Economic Zone, US Senator Robert Menendez has called for solidarity with Cyprus.

By George Gilson

Even as Turkey is blocking seismic research by the research vessel Nautical Geo in the Exclusive Economic Zone, US Senator Robert Menendez has called for solidarity with Cyprus.

More than 200,000 tourists have visited Varosha in Turkish Cyprus since the coastal region was partially reopened to the public in 2020.

Varosha had virtually become a ghost town as it remained cut off from the world for some 47 years.

Turkey on July 27 dismissed remarks made by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on the partial reopening of the Varosha region in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as being worthless for Turkey.

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