KKTC considers to open Varosha for settlement

Ertugruloglu added works on the issue still continue.

KKTC President Rauf Denktas had proposed Greek Cypriot Administration to open the area for the settlement for both Turkish and Greek Cypriots, but the Greek Cypriot Administration rejected this proposal.

"We are planning to open Varosha by cooperating with the United Nations or unilaterally," stated Ertugruloglu.

Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since Turkish forces performed a military operation in 1974 in response to a brief Greek Cypriot coup backed by the military junta then ruling Greece.

Talks on a UN-backed plan that foresees a comprehensive settlement on the island failed after long negotiations. Without a settlement, the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot administration will represent the whole island once inside the European Union.

"The reconstruction of Varosha may be difficult because of this to promote settlers, KKTC may apply some decreases in tax," Ertugruloglu added.

The minister is in New York to attend the 58th UN General Assembly Meeting as well as the Annual Coordination Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Countries.