THE FAMAGUSTA ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN AND THE TURKISH CYPRIOT ASSOCIATION FOR DEMOCRACY, London
Today a historic unprecedented event took place. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots representing the above two Associations in Britain, in the presence of MPs from the main political parties, delivered to The Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street a Petition for the Return of Famagusta to its Rightful Inhabitants and the Opening of its Sea Port, in accordance with the UN Resolutions. Both parties share the same belief that the return of the town of Famagusta and the opening of its port would be the key to the solution of the Cyprus problem.
The Petition was submitted with the following covering letter:
PETITION FOR THE RETURN OF THE TOWN OF FAMAGUSTA TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS
The Famagusta Association of Great Britain, whose members and their families are displaced citizens of the Cypriot town of Famagusta and who are now citizens in Britain, recently embarked on a campaign inviting people to sign a Petition for the return of Famagusta (including the opening of its sea-port) to its rightful inhabitants, in accordance to the UN / EU resolutions. We attach herewith the full content of our Petition together with documents showing that the petition has been signed by over 50,000 people including many dignitaries.
The Turkish Cypriot organization ‘Famagusta Initiative’ carried out recently an opinion poll in which 73% of the Famagusta Turkish Cypriots polled, voted in favour of the return of Famagusta to its rightful inhabitants and the opening of the sea port, in accordance to the UN / EU resolutions. The Turkish Cypriot Association for Democracy (London) fully supported both the Petition and the Opinion Poll.
The parties share the same belief that the return of both the town and port to its lawful inhabitants will pave the way for a comprehensive economic development programme to the benefit of both communities. These benefits shall strengthen the bond between the two communities which, through socio-economic and cultural co-operation, will serve as a catalyst and the driving force in reaching a final solution to the Cyprus problem.
Since the 1974 tragedy in Cyprus, there have been declarations by both communities that priority should be given to the return of the town of FAMAGUSTA to its lawful inhabitants. The most significant among these being the 1979 negotiations between the two community leaders who jointly agreed that priority should be given to the return of Greek Cypriot refugees to their town of Famagusta.
We respectfully call on the British Government, pursuant to its obligations under the London – Zurich 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, to actively exercise the necessary pressure on Turkey to implement the various Resolutions of the United Nations and Declarations of the European Union Parliament for the Return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants, already supported by successive British Governments in power.
Specifically, UN Resolution 550 was voted for in 1984 with the support of the then Prime Minister the late Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher.
We look forward to receiving your positive response.
Yours faithfully,Dr. Vassilis Mavrou, President, The Famagusta Association Of Great Britain Mr. Hassan Raif, Chairman, The Turkish Cypriot Association for Democracy
Cc. The Rt. Hon. David Burrowes MP
The event was covered by the Media and the following are extracts from the interviews recorded by the participating parties.
David Burrowes, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Southgate and Enfield, praised the representatives of the Cypriot Communities in Britain for their unprecedented historical joint effort. The return of Famagusta will create immense economic activity for the benefit of both communities. He promised to follow up the Petition with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.
Dr. Vassilis Mavrou, the president of Famagusta association, stated that thousands of individuals signed our petition for the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants. Further, that that the Cypriots in the UK will keep fighting for the return of Famagusta’s lawful inhabitants and indeed for all Cypriots refugees, demanding a free united Cyprus. Dr Mavrou stated the immense benefits for both communities for such a CBM (confidence building measure) by the TC side. He subsequently called on the British Prime Minister to exercise the necessary pressure on Turkey to allow the return of Famagusta’s inhabitants back to Famagusta to create a good climate before the start of the inter-communal negotiations.
Mr Cagri Cosar, representative of the Turkish Cypriot Youth U.K., said that there is a demand from both communities for the return of the lawful inhabitants of Famagusta. He stated that then re-unification of Famagusta will serve as confidence building measure for the solution of the Cyprus problem. He pointed out that both communities suffer from the delays in solving the problem. In addition he states that both communities will have tremendous economic benefits. He pointed out that the sooner we have a re-united Cyprus the better.
Mr Hassan Raif expressed the opinion to the press that this is a joint effort by the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities for a common goal. The return of Famagusta to its inhabitants will serve as confidence building measure for the overall solution of the Cyprus problem.He congratulated the Famagusta association team which worked very hard in collecting all those thousands of signatures. He concluded that he was confident that everybody’s efforts will bear fruit.
Finally, both parties made a concluding statement that they wish and hope that all their efforts made would help bring about an improvement to the present state of affairs
Dr. Vassilis Mavrou, President, The Famagusta Association Of Great Britain Mr. Hassan Raif, Chairman, The Turkish Cypriot Association for Democracy
