PACE: Interventions on Varosha and Arrests

The Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) re-discussed the report on Varosha. Turkish Cypriot "MPs" and Giorgos Loukaidis intervened in the discussion.

Turkish Cypriot "MPs" Oguzhan Hasipoglu and Armagan Candan, as well as AKEL MP Giorgos Loukaidis, took part in the discussion after the introduction by the Italian Rapporteur, Pierro Fassino.

Mr. Hasipoglu claimed that there is increased interest from Greek Cypriots in Varosha and referred to applications for compensation. He also spoke of "unfair arrests" by the Greek Cypriot side and called for an end to the "illegal approach" towards the "TRNC".

Mr. Candan noted that the agenda on property issues was postponed to December and expressed hope for a resumption of negotiations after the "presidential elections" in the occupied territories in October.

The "speaker of parliament", Ziya Öztürkler, argued that Cyprus' relations with Israel and the presence of American soldiers on the island endanger Turkish Cypriots.