FAMAGUSTA IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - THEY CALL FOR A REVIEW OF THE ISSUE OF THE FENCED CITY - WARM SUPPORT OF MEPs FOR A RETURN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS - Filenews 26/2
The reconsideration of the issue of the fenced-off area of Famagusta by the Committee on Petitions (PETI) of the European Parliament was welcomed today by the Mayor of Famagusta, Simos Ioannou, during a meeting of the Committee, following a request submitted on behalf of the Famagusta Refugee Movement.
In his statement before PETI, Mr. Ioannou thanked the members for their long-standing support and for the decision to re-include the issue of Famagusta on the agenda.
The Mayor described Famagusta as a symbol of violation of international law, noting that the fenced-off area of Varosha has remained under Turkish military occupation since 1974, without the return of its legal inhabitants being allowed.
He referred to UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789, which provide that any attempt to colonize the area by persons other than its legal inhabitants is unacceptable and call for its transfer to the administration of the United Nations.
According to Mr. Ioannou, unilateral actions have taken place in recent years, including the gradual opening of parts of the fenced area from 2020 onwards. He referred to visits by Turkish officials and the President of Turkey to the region, as well as decisions to partially open part of Varosha. As he said, these actions have been condemned by the Security Council and the European Union.
Briefly presenting the actions of the Committee on Petitions in previous years, he referred to fact-finding missions in 2007 and 2018, to reports and written statements in favour of the implementation of the relevant UN resolutions.
He made a special mention of the petitioner, Loizos Afxentiou, noting that his initiative contributed to the discussion of the issue in the Committee.
Mr. Ioannou also presented a timeline of developments from 2017 to date, describing moves for partial opening of the area after Crans Montana, registration of properties in 2019, visits by Turkish officials in 2020, decision to partially open the area in 2021 and recent announcements of full opening, with the development of infrastructure in parts that have been opened.
In closing, he extended an invitation to the President and the members of PETI to visit Famagusta, stating that such a visit would be a message of support to the legal residents, 52 years after the events of 1974.
In his own intervention before PETI, Loizos Afxentiou, who submitted the relevant petition, referred to his personal experience as a displaced person since 1974.
He said he and his family became refugees in August 1974, during the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. He stressed that Turkey continues to occupy more than 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, maintaining more than 40,000 soldiers. He also noted that, although the entire Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, the implementation of the European acquis has been suspended in areas where there is no effective control by the government.
Presenting maps and aerial photographs during the session, he described the ceasefire line and buffer zone. He referred in particular to the fenced area of Varosha, which was sealed after 1974 and remains under the control of the Turkish army, with a ban on entry to citizens.
Mr. Afxentiou stressed that in the first years after the occupation of the city, there was systematic looting of property, with the transfer of objects outside Cyprus or their concession to settlers. He presented photographic material from his residence in Famagusta, stating that when he visited it in 2003 he found extensive damage.
As he said, in 2006 he was "arrested" for a few hours after giving an interview in front of his house, while in 2011 he was "arrested" again by Turkish forces for entering his property.
The petitioner recalled that PETI has carried out fact-finding missions on the issue and has called for the implementation of the relevant Resolutions. He also referred to developments from 2019 onwards, pointing out that despite UN calls, parts of the region became accessible in 2021, while in a recent report of January 2026 the UN Secretary-General reiterated the Organization's position in favour of compliance with the relevant resolutions.
Mr. Afxentiou added that his report was inspired by the Schuman Declaration and the principle that European integration advances through concrete achievements that build solidarity. He proposed the creation of a federal area in Famagusta, with the return of the legal residents and the reopening of the port, as a step towards a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
He appealed for support for the effort, noting that he has been coming to the European Parliament for 23 years on the same issue and asking for a return to his home, from which he was displaced 52 years ago.
The petition remains open
As announced at the end of the session, the President of PETI, Bogdan Rzonja, the report has been kept open and the next steps are expected from both the European Parliament and the Commission.
In a discussion that followed, MEPs expressed their warm support for the petition submitted by Mr. Afxentiou and the return of the fenced area of Famagusta to its legal residents.
During their statements, the Cypriot MEPs stressed that the issue of Varosha is a story of sadism. They also mentioned the need for meaningful actions and actions by the EU.
CNA
