In a joint letter, members of the US Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues called on UN Secretary-General António Guterres to take concrete action against Turkey to open Varosha.
The bipartisan letter was signed by 19 lawmakers who called on the UN to use all available diplomatic and political tools to urge Turkey to end its continuing violations of Cypriot sovereignty and international law.
As the member of the US Congress mentioned, “We welcome the Security Council’s condemnation of this unacceptable regime change (of Varosha) by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, and we urge you to send a message to Turkey that the United Nations’ response will not be limited to rhetoric if Security Council resolutions on Varosha continue to be violated.”
The initiative was taken by the co-chairs of the US Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, Carolyn Maloney and Gus Bilirakis, and to the Greek-American Congressman Chris Pappas.
In the letter, Turkey’s allegations on Varosha are refuted in detail and it is recalled that Ankara’s recent actions in flagrant violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
At the same time, US lawmakers are ringing the alarm bell for Turkey’s future plans, which envisage the implementation of massive infrastructure projects in the besieged city.
In particular, the letter encourages the secretary-general to exercise United Nations jurisdiction over the administration of the region for the following reasons:
– To prevent the resettlement of Varosha.
– To pursue the immediate and full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions on Varosha.
– To consider the possibility of sanctions against Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots who are trying to open the city illegally and unilaterally.
Source: ANA-MPA