USA: Washington condemns "provocative" decision to partially reopen Cyprus' Varosha

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Mandatory credit: SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland condemned plans by Turkish Cypriot authorities to partially reopen Varosha, the ‘ghost town’ quarter of the Cypriot city of Famagusta, as she addressed Congress on Wednesday.

“The United States views this action as provocative, unacceptable and detrimental to the prospects for the resumption of settlement talks. We’re urging a reversal of this decision, including in a phone call that I made to Ankara this morning,” she continued.

The diplomat added that “a bi-zonal bi-communal federation is the only path to lasting peace and stability” in Cyprus.

Nuland also condemned Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system in 2017.

Varosha, a resort-style quarter, was abandoned following Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus of 1974 that split the disputed island. The area has been a fenced-off Turkish military zone since, with visitors being allowed on-site since November 2020 by the Turkish Cypriot authorities, formally known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Turkish Cypriot authorities revealed plans for the partial reopening and resettling of Varosha on Tuesday as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the joint Cypriot capital of Nicosia on the 47th anniversary of Turkey’s invasion.

SOT, Bob Menendez, Senate Foreign Committee Chairman: “His (Turkish President Erdogan) goal is to advance a separate state on the island of Cyprus. Simply put, this violation of international law is unacceptable. And I expect to hear from the under secretary today a plan on how the Biden administration will respond.”

SOT, Victoria Nuland, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs: Victoria Nuland, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs:

“We condemn yesterday’s announcement by Turkish Cypriot leader (Ersin) Tatar and Turkish President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan, which would allow Turkish Cypriots to take control of parts of Varosha. This move is inconsistent with UN Security Council resolutions 550 and 7089, which explicitly call for Varosha to be administered by the United Nations. The United States views this action as provocative, unacceptable and detrimental to the prospects for the resumption of settlement talks. We’re urging a reversal of this decision, including in a phone call that I made to Ankara this morning. And we are working with like-minded partners in the UN Security Council. A Cypriot-led comprehensive settlement to reunify the island as a bi-zonal bi-communal federation is the only path to lasting peace and stability.”

SOT, Bob Menendez, Senate Foreign Committee Chairman: “Can you affirm that the United States rejects the notion of two states?”

SOT, Victoria Nuland, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs: “Absolutely, as I said in my statement, we think only a Cypriot-led process bi-zonal, bi-communal will bring peace and stability in Cyprus.”

SOT, Bob Menendez, Senate Foreign Committee Chairman: “And are we working to ensure that there be a UN resolution on Varosha?”

SOT, Victoria Nuland, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs: “We are. And we had consultations yesterday in the UN and those will continue until we have a product.”

SOT, Bob Menendez, Senate Foreign Committee Chairman: “Is Turkey establishing a drone base in occupied Cyprus?”

SOT, Victoria Nuland, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs: “Sir, I am personally not aware of that, but I will take it for to look at.”

SOT, Bob Menendez, Senate Foreign Committee Chairman: “I’d like you to. My information is that they are. And then the question of if they are, then what are the implications of such a move for the Republic of Cyprus, which is part of the European Union, but others in the region, like Israel and Egypt, for example.”​ *MULTIPLE SHOTS AT SOURCE*

SOT, Bob Menendez, Senate Foreign Committee Chairman: “So when Turkey, as a NATO member, introduces a Russian S-400 air defence system into its territory, it poses a significant threat to NATO. It poses a significant threat to US pilots. It poses a significant threat to our partners. Under no circumstances will I support the lifting of CAATSA sanctions if the S-400 remains in Turkey.”

SOT, Victoria Nuland, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs: “We continue to object to Turkey’s purchase and deployment of the Russian S-400 air defence system and have made clear that any new major arms purchases from Russia risk triggering additional CAATSA sanctions. As you both said, the sale and co-production of the F-35 will remain suspended.”

#USA #Cyprus #Varosha

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