Owners of abandoned hotels and tourist resorts in the fenced-off town of Varosha/Maraş have decided to update their legal titles of ownership.
A number of those who own resorts, mainly on the beach front, met in Nicosia with the [self-titled] Famagusta mayor.
Proposals to reopen the ghost town have escalated tension in the South.
The head of the Cyprus Hotel Association (Pasyxe) Charis Loizides, said the meeting was called so that the Pasyxe members could exchange information over recent developments in Varosha, and to clarify whether they had received any offers for the sale of their property.
“As a first step we have agreed that title deeds must be updated, to ensure that everyone is properly listed,” he said. “From then on, we will remain in contact with the state to see what other measures and mobilisations we can take.”
There have been recent reports of foreign buyers approaching Greek Cypriot Varosha property owners with the aim of buying their properties, however Loizides said that no one who had attended the meeting mentioned any such offers.
Pasyxe has 34 registered members who own around 50-60 Varosha properties, Loizides said.
“There is a sense of disquiet because Famagusta was suddenly transformed from a dormant issue into one where negative moves were being made,” Loizides said.
He added that Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides was informed of the outcome of the meeting and agreed to attend the second, soon to take place.
President Nicos Anastasiades, together with [self-titled] Famagusta mayor Simos Ioannou and municipal councillors, met to discuss a strategy to counter plans by the Turkish Cypriot side to open up the fenced-off town of Varosha/Maraş for settlement and development in violation of UN resolutions.
Cyprus Mail
