Brussels 07.10.2020 “…I share the concerns of the Honorable Member who took the floor a moment ago. For sure this issue of Famagusta was taken into consideration at the European Council as well” – Josep Borrell, the head of the EU diplomacy said, while addressing the Members of the European Parliament.

” The opening of this area, which is a closed area according to the ceasefire agreements under the auspices of the United Nations is a serious violation of this agreement and yesterday we issued an statement and today the 27 [EU Member States] will issue another one asking Turkey to stop doing this activity. You know that the European Council issued a statement on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean. For sure this is not going to help. On the contrary, it is going to increase tensions and to make it more difficult to reach an agreement on an especially difficult situation for all of us on the Eastern Mediterranean”.

The Turkish Cypriot authorities announced on October 6 they would open the seafront to the public on , sparking protests by the Cyprus government which has taken the issue to the UN Security Council.

European Commission spokesperson said the EU leaders will assess Turkey’s actions on Varosha (Famagusta) and determine further action as part of the dual approach decided in the European Council on October 1-2.

“We are watching the facts and we are stating what we think it is going on,” he said, adding that the EU’s position was very clear, both in his previous statements and in the European Council conclusions.I

Image below: Famagusta, social media.