Famagusta and the military occupation of Northern Cyprus

This House notes that in July 1974 Turkey invaded the Republic of Cyprus and continues to occupy 37% of its territory and that the city of Famagusta was seized in August 1974 and remains under Turkish military control; further notes that despite UN Security Council Resolution 550 (1984), which declares any settlement of Famagusta by anyone other than its lawful inhabitants inadmissible, Turkey has settled much of the city with mainland settlers and threatens to open the remaining sealed-off area; recalls the 1979 High-Level Agreement and UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789, as well as resolutions and petitions of the European Parliament, the House of Commons, and the Council of Europe, which call for the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants and for Turkey to comply fully with UN resolutions; condemns Turkey’s occupation of northern Cyprus, the illegal exploitation of Cyprus’ EEZ, incursions into the UN buffer zone, and demographic engineering through the transfer of Turkish citizens; further condemns illegal construction, the displacement of Greek Cypriots, the desecration of cultural and historical sites, and attempts to erase heritage; supports a comprehensive settlement based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, in line with UN resolutions and the EU acquis; further supports confidence-building measures and stresses that the return of Famagusta must form part of them; and calls on the UK Government, as a guarantor power, to impose sanctions to ensure Turkey’s compliance with UN resolutions fully.