OPENING OF FAMAGUSTA

OPENING OF FAMAGUSTA a chance to restore mutual trust Specifically, the proposal concerning Famagusta includes the return of the Turkish occupied city, currently a ghost city, to its lawful inhabitants, under the auspices of the UN and in line with the 1984 UN Security Council Resolution 550. This confidence building measure could inspire the people in both communities to believe again in the possibility of a solution, thus giving the peace process added impetus. The lack of trust between the two communities would be diminished, while the Turkish Cypriots could use the port of Famagusta for direct trade, under the supervision of the EU. A first positive step would be the agreement on a roadmap by both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot experts for the reconstruction of the city, to be gradually implemented through joint efforts by the two communities. An agreement on Famagusta would not only send a very strong message of the determination of both sides to reach a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem, but would also resolve part of the territorial and the property dispute. Such a development could create a domino effect with the regards to resolving other aspects of the Cyprus problem. * For the full text of the Joint Declaration, visit: http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/All/57229592C C124622C2257C7D00273B91?OpenDocument A series of confidence building measures, of which the most important concerns Famagusta, are envisaged in the framework of the new initiative which started in February 2014 to resolve the Cyprus problem. As part of these renewed efforts, the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus agreed on 11 February 2014 on a Joint Declaration*, which empowers the negotiation process aiming at reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem. Sealed-off area of Famagusta - PIO Photo Archive