Declaration on Varosha-Famagusta breakthrough package
VAROSHA is a city resembling the backdrop of a Hollywood horror film. It is called a ghost city for good reason: a place defeated by captivity; empty, depressing and full of despair.
People say: “Varosha is part of a comprehensive settlement”. And so it is, but for those of us who live in Famagusta, Varosha is also part of our divided heart.
Because of the division, the people of Famagusta have lost many of the economic and socio-cultural advantages they had before 1974, they struggle with the absence of a modern Master Plan and are disconnected from the sea through its organic link. They are nostalgic for those bright and colourful days prior to 1974.
The sealed-off area of Varosha covers a space of 6.4 square kilometres. Over the past 36 years, it has become a different ecosystem and public health in the Famagusta region is constantly under threat by the serious risks posed by the wild animals in the area.
The official figures speak for themselves. According to the 1973 population census Varosha had a population of 15,000 people and had a 6,302 bed capacity at the 37 listed hotels, rising to 10,000 bed capacity when hotel apartments were included.
During the January-June 1974 period, Famagusta region recorded 713,455 stays (53 per cent) out of the islandwide total of 1,334,490. In 1974, tourist bed capacity across all of Turkey was below 10,000.
Today, after 36 years, the total tourist bed capacity in northern Cyprus has hardly reached 16,597 while for January to June this year, Famagusta region’s has recorded a mere 49,785 stays, only seven per cent of the total tourist accomodation in northern Cyprus.
In 1973, 1,810 vessels out of a total of 2,929 vessels visiting Cyprus and 1,505,089 tonnes of weight out of a total of 3,269,644 net registered tonnage was handled at Famagusta port. In 2008, 1,424 vessels out of a total of 2,818 vessels visiting north Cyprus ports used the Famagusta port. The net registered tonnage at north Cyprus ports was 2,276,086 for that year.
On the other hand, 4,052 vessels visited the Republic of Cyprus’ ports in 2008 and the net registered tonnage there was 22,359,142. In terms of cargo transportation, Famagusta’s share of business has crashed from 46 per cent to 4.6 per cent.
It all adds up to one thing. Since Varosha went idle 36 years ago, the biggest losers – morally and materially – have been Famagustans, both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot.
Feasibility projections for the reconstruction of Varosha today point to a minimum investment value of two billion euros and a massive boost to employment and trade.
Starting from the “10 Point Agreement” signed between Denktash and Kyprianou in May 1979, there are several UN Security Council Resolutions uttering that, without waiting for a comprehensive settlement, Varosha should be returned back to its legal owners under UN supervision.
Recently again, one of the main reasons for recognition of the status of Immovable Property Commission (IPC) in northern Cyprus, its acceptance by ECHR as a domestic legal remedy and the approval of its functioning principles, are all related to the fact that the empty Greek Cypriot owned immoveable property was promised to be delivered back by the north to their legal owners.
Briefly, both compliance with the international law and economic wisdom urge us to revive Famagusta without wasting any more time.
An initiative on Varosha will include the opening of Famagusta port to the international maritime lines under EU supervision, thus multiplying the performance in cargo transportation and enabling unrestricted visits of foreign cruise lines and passenger boats to the Famagusta port.
Our port, operating at one fourth of its capacity at the moment, would be revitalised. Furthermore, Famagusta’s Walled City and the other zones of Famagusta would maintain a steady tourist flow and high dividend. The operation of Famagusta port under EU supervision would also facilitate a review of the ban Turkey imposes on Greek Cypriot flagged carriers for those visiting the ports of Turkey.
Finally, with Varosha opened, Famagusta Walled City – with its historical and cultural heritage – would be subject to restoration and conservation work by foreign specialist institutions which would pave the way for UNESCO to list the city as a World Heritage Site.
A regional breakthrough package, containing three different but parallel components as mentioned above and advocated by us for many years, has the potential to satisfy the local community and to open up new horizons for our future if it’s taken seriously for negotiation by both sides.
The implementation of a package of this kind would positively contribute to the growing respect for Turkey in the international arena, would accelerate the process of opening new negotiation chapters by EU for Turkey’s full membership and would have a catalyst effect, creating synergy for a comprehensive settlement.
Just because of the reasons summarised, we the undersigned individuals and institutions stress that it is time to humanise the “Ghost City”, we demand the responsible parties take urgent steps to implement the breakthrough package and invite everyone sharing our sensitivities to support and sign our Declaration.
n The declaration has been signed by more than one hundred Turkish Cypriot individuals and companies based in the Famagusta region including doctors, lawyers, architects, academics and businessmen. Businessman Serdar Atai is part of the movement called the Famagusta Initiative and took part in a bicommunal UNDP Project in 2007-2008 which brought together professionals from the Famagusta region to discuss the future of the city which later on became known as the “Revival of Famagusta Project”.
