Turkish Cypriot leader rejects proposal on Varosha and Famagusta port

Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman has confirmed the rejection of a proposal by Republic of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides concerning the status of the fenced-off area of Varosha and the port of Famagusta. The proposal sought to place Varosha under United Nations administration in exchange for opening the Famagusta port to direct trade under European Union supervision. Erhurman characterized the plan as unbalanced, noting that it does not provide for the activation of the EU’s Direct Trade Regulation, which he identifies as the primary obstacle to economic development.

Erhurman further stated that the proposal lacks novelty, claiming it is similar to a 2006 formula previously rejected by the Turkish Cypriot side. Addressing broader negotiations, he reiterated that he is prepared to engage in formal talks only if President Christodoulides explicitly and unconditionally accepts the principle of a rotating presidency. He claims that during the UN General Assembly in New York last month, he received signals through UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin that the Greek Cypriot side might be ready to accept this, but he has received no formal confirmation from Christodoulides.

Government officials in Nicosia have defended the proposal as a fair and balanced confidence-building measure. The government maintains that the current deadlock requires substantive initiatives rather than procedural posturing, while expressing continued readiness to discuss further cooperation, including the opening of new crossing points.