Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take in response to the opening of the uninhabited town of Famagusta to tourists by the Turkish Cypriot Authorities under the guidance of Turkey, contrary to the UN resolutions 550 and 789.

The UK is deeply concerned about the announcement made during the visit of President Erdogan to Cyprus on 19-20 July 2021 regarding the reopening and resettlement of an area constituting 3.4% of the fenced-off area of Varosha. We strongly support the 23 July UN Security Council Presidential Statement which condemned the announcement. The UK strongly supports the relevant Security Council Resolutions covering the issue of Varosha. The announcement runs contrary to UN Security Council resolutions and to the Security Council Presidential Statement of 8 October 2020 which called for Turkey to halt and reverse its actions in Varosha.

The UK has also been clear in calling for all sides to avoid any actions or statements that could damage the prospects for a Settlement. The issue of Varosha underlines the importance of reaching a comprehensive Cyprus Settlement.