By Roy Lie A Tjam.
H.E. Ambassador Elpidoforos Economou opened a photo exhibition with the theme, Famagusta: A European Ghost Town at Humanity House The Hague on Monday 6 June 2016. This exhibition has traveled around Europe and elsewhere and is now for the first time on displayed in The Hague
Ambassador Elpidoforos Economou welcoming and thanking fellow Ambassadors, diplomats, Humanity House, Walk of Truth, Dutch officials and other invitees for supporting the exhibition.
A special word of thanks went to Municipality of Famagusta, let by the elected Mayor of the City, Mr. Alexis Galanos and the members of the Municipal Council Mr. Hadjikakou and Mr. Berros.
Ambassador Economou embarked on highlighting the plight of the people of Famagusta.
He stated:
‘At a time when the international community faces immense humanitarian crises which provoke an unprecedented number of refugees, the painful story of Famagusta demonstrates that displacement and the violations of human rights of the refugees can last for decades when those responsible are not held accountable for their actions. And there can be no doubt who is responsible for turning Famagusta, the once most prosperous city of Cyprus, into the ghost city of today, abandoned to the elements of nature and the ravages of time.
The UN Secretary General in his Reports on the United Nations Operation in Cyprus, including the most recent of January 2016, stresses, and I quote, that “the United Nations continues to hold the Government of Turkey responsible for the status quo in Varosha” [end of quote], the area to the south of Famagusta which is sealed off by the Turkish occupation army since August 1974. ‘
The next speaker is the founder of “Walk of Truth” Mrs. Tasoula Chatzitofi, with a moving testimony, shared her personal experiences as a refugee from Famagusta, As a teenage girl she, her parents and siblings had to flee their hometown. She finally landed in the Netherlands in 1980.Furthermore; she spoke about her struggles to repatriate stolen cultural treasures from occupied Cyprus.
In his remarks, Mayor Alexis Galanos said that all refugees must return to Famagusta, now occupied by the Turkish army, adding that his vision is to see Famagusta becoming a prosperous city again.
The Mayor said that the Cyprus problem is a European one and a solution must be found the soonest that will contribute significantly to promoting security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
A musical performance by Glannis Koutis, playing the oud/vocalist and Prodromos Baklatizis, the violin was part of the program.The performance was entirely dedicated to Famagusta. The function concluded with a viewing of the exhibition and a reception in the roof garden of the Humanity House,
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus has made a proposal which is still on the table for the return of the city to its lawful inhabitants under UN auspices. The proposal includes the use of the port of Famagusta by the Turkish Cypriots for direct trade under the supervision of the European Union.
Unfortunately, the Government of Turkey has not reacted positively to this proposal and continues to hold the city as a hostage away of its citizens showing a complete disrespect for international humanitarian law and continues to violate the human rights of the people of Famagusta.
.
