It seems to be true that this transaction took place and it is up to the state to clarify how this act took place, the mayor of South Cyprus Famagusta, Simos Ioannou, told Politis 107.6 & 97.6 about the news that a Turkish Cypriot businessman bought three hotels from Greek Cypriots and two floors of apartment buildings in the closed Varosha.
“This,” said Mr. Ioannou, is the main issue we will see with the Foreign Minister at today’s meeting at the Ministry.
Asked if approval from any government department was needed to make the purchase, Ioannou said no.
“The issue,” he added, “is first and foremost moral and political.
Then we will see if it is legal or not.
We should have been procured and not obtained.
As a Municipality we have been warning for a long time about what the developments will be and it seems that the main reason is this constant inaction on the Cyprus problem, which gives people the feeling that there is no longer a solution, as a result of which some, either for economic reasons or for other reasons, are forced to sell their properties.
Asked if the municipality contacted the Greek Cypriots who sold the hotels to the Turkish Cypriot businessman, the Famagusta mayor said that some municipal councilors contacted and the answer is that “they are in great financial difficulty and that they do not see light at the end of the tunnel and that is why they proceeded with this act”.
Regarding today’s meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the issue that arose with the purchase of hotels in closed Varoshi by a Turkish Cypriot businessman, Mr. Ioannou said that first we will hear what measures they have taken and then we will submit some suggestions.
Meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the purchase of hotels in closed Varoshi
