Cyprus: Christodoulides' Varosha proposal criticised as 'unrealistic'

Gündem Kıbrıs, citing Cyprus Mail, reported that a column criticised Greek Cypriot leader Christodoulides' proposal on closed Varosha. The paper argued that a positive outcome could not be expected from a plan not among the confidence-building measures the UN seeks to agree, as the other side is not ready for talks.

The plan would reopen Varosha under UN administration for former residents to return, in exchange for handing control of Famagusta port to the European Union, allowing northern Cyprus to trade with the EU. The paper noted it matches a proposal by former Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos 21 years ago, and said it was unrealistic to expect the Turkish side to concede port control or return Varosha.

The paper said Christodoulides may have raised the issue ahead of a Famagusta council meeting and a sports event. In a meeting with the mayor, he said the Turkish side had rejected the proposal but it remained on the table, prompting the question: “If the other side rejected it, how can it be on the table?”