France and US join condemnation of Turkey’s plan to reopen ‘ghost town’ in Cyprus

France and the United States on Wednesday publicly criticised a move by Turkish Cypriot authorities to partially reopen an abandoned town in Cyprus for potential resettlement.

Turkish Cypriots said on Tuesday that part of Varosha would come under civilian control and people would be able to reclaim properties – angering Greek Cypriots who accused their Turkish rivals of orchestrating a land-grab by stealth.

Varosha, an eerie collection of derelict high-rise hotels and residences in a military zone nobody has been allowed to enter, has been deserted since a 1974 war split the island.

READ MORE: ‘Illegal and unacceptable’: Cyprus President calls National Council over Turkey’s plan to reopen Varosha.

French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, discussed the matter with his Cypriot counterpart on Tuesday and will raise the topic at the United Nations, a spokesperson for Le Drian’s ministry said.

Cyprus is represented in the EU by an internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government. France presides over the UN Security Council this month.

“France strongly regrets this unilateral move, upon which there had been no consultations, which constitutes a provocation and harms re-establishing the confidence needed to get back to urgent talks over reaching a fair and long-lasting solution to the Cypriot question,” Le Drian’s spokesperson said.

READ MORE: Erdogan visits northern Cyprus, says ‘two-state deal’ is the only way forward.

In the US, Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said any attempt to reopen Varosha would be at odds with UN resolutions and commitments to resume peace talks.

“The US is working with like-minded partners to refer this concerning situation to the UN security council and will urge a strong response,” he said in a statement.

In congressional testimony, US Undersecretary of State, Victoria Nuland, also condemned the Turkish resettlement plan.

READ MORE: US Senate urges US-EU response to Turkish provocations in Varosha.

Peace efforts have repeatedly floundered on the ethnically split island. A new Turkish Cypriot leadership, backed by Turkey, says a peace accord between two sovereign states is the only viable option.

Greek Cypriots reject a two-state deal for the island that would accord sovereign status to the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state that only Ankara recognises.

Source: Ekathimerini.

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