Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Hristodulidis stated that his proposal for the opening of the fenced-off area of Varosha remains active, despite its rejection by Turkish Cypriot President Tufan Erhürman. Hristodulidis made the remarks during a meeting with the Varosha Municipal Council delegation led by Simos Yioannou, asserting that the proposal "is not an old one" and is rooted in previous negotiation rounds.
Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the municipal delegation welcomed the proposal. When asked about Erhürman's rejection on grounds that the offer does not include a direct trade regulation, Letymbiotis argued the proposal envisages the return of Varosha under UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789 and the simultaneous operation of Famagusta Port under EU supervision, with benefits expected to materialise quickly.
Letymbiotis added that the proposal would grant Turkish Cypriots access to markets currently unavailable to them, and noted that unlike earlier versions, it does not include the Ankara Protocol, which had required Turkey to open its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircraft.
Hristodulidis also met with UN Secretary-General's Special Representative and UNFICYP Chief of Mission Khassim Diagne. According to Letymbiotis, the talks focused on steps that could be taken to restart negotiations ahead of a visit by the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin. UNFICYP Spokesperson Alim Siddiq confirmed the meeting was held within the framework of regular contacts and centred on the Secretary-General's UNFICYP report.
Letymbiotis noted that among Hristodulidis's 19 proposals are new crossing points not previously discussed, stressing these are not alternatives to the proposed Athienou-Pyroi crossing. He also conveyed Hristodulidis's call to end violations of the buffer zone's status and to fully uphold UNFICYP's mandate. A trilateral meeting is scheduled for 9 November, while Hristodulidis and Holguin are expected to meet on Friday.
