Varosha, Famagusta

There are no plans to open up the fenced-off ghost town of Varosha, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said adding that any such move would have to take place within the framework of the parameters set by the United Nations.

Speculation over the opening of the fenced-off town of Varosha may lead to that eventuality, but it will take a decade before the first displaced inhabitant gets to return.

This is what a political analyst told the Cyprus Weekly following the furore sparked by signals from Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side that they are considering opening the once cosmopolitan “ghost town”.

What are Turks trying to do in Cyprus? What might be the aim behind Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akıncı's decision to allow former residents of three Maronite villages to return to their former homes or heralding thousands of former residents of former touristic resort Varosha suburb of Famagusta that permission for their return might be in the cards?

Up to 20,000 refugees from the fenced city of Varosha, and three Maronite villages in Famagusta, may be allowed to return under Turkish-Cypriot administration said Turkish-Cypriot media.

According to Turkish-Cypriot newspaper Detay, the Turkish-Cypriot and Turkish side are preparing to make unilateral steps after the collapse of the Conference on Cyprus in Crans-Montana.

Greek Cypriot authorities are making preparations for a transition process on the island after a possible peace deal, Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Yoannis Kasulidis has said, noting that the return of the "ghost town" Varosha was their top priority during this process. 

Turkish Cyprus contractors have inked a deal with their Turkish counterparts to rebuild the "ghost town" of Varosha, as hopes of finding a peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue increased due to the accelerated talks between the leaders of the Turkish and Greek communities on the island.  

Everyone, from Greek Cypriot counterpart Nikos Anastasiades and party leaders to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavu?o?lu, and the diplomatic community stationed in Cyprus, including British and American ambassadors as well as executives of the United Nations Cyprus team, celebrated president-elect Mustafa Ak?nc?

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades is due in Athens on Monday to discuss the ongoing reunification talks on the island with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos.