Reports that Chinese and Russians are approaching property owners in Varosha/Maraş to sell their properties has brought a reaction from councillor Nicos Karoulas.
He said that he had been told by former residents that they had been approached by Russian and Chinese companies to sell their properties in the fenced-off town.
According to Greek Cypriot daily ‘Cyprus Mail’, foreign companies seem to be working with Turkish Cypriots who have access to Famagusta land registry records.
TRNC Foreign Minister Kudret Ozersay, during his visit to the ghost town with 40 Turkish and Turkish Cypriot journalists, said that the government’s plan was to restore the town, section by section and remove it from Turkish military authority. He also said that former occupants would be able to return.
Self-designated “mayor” of Famagusta Simos Ioannou said the “municipality” was against the return of Greek Cypriots to Maraş under Turkish Cypriot administration.
He admitted however, that they could not stop anyone from either selling or returning to the town when it was opened.
UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha/ Maraş by people other than its former inhabitants as inadmissible and called for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN.
Cyprus Mail
