President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides stressed on Tuesday evening the importance of the fenced-off area of Famagusta as a first step towards a solution to the Cyprus problem, noting that it constitutes the most important Confidence-Building Measure (CBM) and the strongest indication of genuine willingness to reach a solution and reunify Cyprus.
At the same time, he reiterated the Government’s commitment to efforts to resume negotiations, emphasising the need for a strong united domestic front.
In an address at an event organised by Anorthosis Famagusta to commemorate October 28, 1940, held at the Monastery of Saint George Kontos in Larnaca, President Christodoulides said that Cyprus was at a critical juncture in its history, underlining everyone’s responsibility to contribute towards the common goal of ending the occupation and achieving liberation.
“We will all be judged by how we respond to the call for a strong united domestic front, with full respect for differing approaches or views, in pursuit of our common goal of ending the occupation and achieving liberation,” he said.
He added that, just as the Greeks of Cyprus responded to the call of history during the Second World War, there was now an obligation to respond to the struggle for the country’s future.
“This struggle will truly be vindicated through the achievement of our ultimate goal, which is none other than freeing our homeland from occupation, freeing it from this illegal state of affairs,” he noted.
Acknowledging the many challenges and obstacles, the President of the Republic stressed that “we remain committed to efforts to resume negotiations through assertive realism, with perseverance and a clear plan and strategy for where we want to go.”
President Christodoulides made particular reference to Famagusta, noting that “it is at the forefront of efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.”
“I truly believe, and this is precisely what I am doing and why I insist on the issue of the fenced-off area as a first step, that it constitutes the most important Confidence-Building Measure, the strongest indication, and this is where we will all be judged as to whether we genuinely want a solution to the Cyprus problem and the reunification of our homeland,” he said.
“This is why the issue is being discussed and our efforts are continuing,” he added.
Referring to the anniversary of October 28, President Christodoulides said that the events of 1940 symbolised resistance and struggle, as well as the defence of values such as dignity, freedom and democracy.
He placed particular emphasis on the participation of Cypriots in the Second World War, noting that approximately 20,000 volunteers from Cyprus helped reinforce the Allied forces, including members of Anorthosis.
He paid special tribute to Varnavas Serifis, Loukis Liasidis, Antis Fanos and Christos Christodoulides, members of the club who lost their lives on the battlefields.
The President of the Republic described Anorthosis Famagusta as one of the most historic clubs in the Greek world, praising its longstanding contribution to national and social struggles, sport, culture and volunteerism.
He noted that, particularly following displacement, the club had demonstrated the strength of character of its members, stressing that, beyond its sporting and cultural achievements, its greatest contribution was “the cultivation and preservation of historical memory.”
Finally, he congratulated Anorthosis on its longstanding tradition of organising events to commemorate national anniversaries, highlighting the importance of preserving historical memory and passing it on to younger generations.
“Our historical memory must remain alive, and this is precisely what Anorthosis is doing,” he concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a ‘ghost town’.
UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.
After the opening for visitors of part of the fenced area of Varosha in 2020, following announcements by the Turkish side, the UN and the Secretary-General called on several occasions for the immediate reversal of the action taken, while pointing to a lack of progress in this regard. The EU has also expressed concern.