Cabinet has revoked Republic of Cyprus passports from 14 Turkish Cypriot ‘officials’ on the ground that they undermined the integrity and sovereignty of the divided island, the government spokesman repeated.
Marios Pelekanos then pointed out the particular issue with the July decision by the Turkish Cypriot regime in breakaway north Cyprus to open part of Varosha – the abandoned ghost-city in Famagusta.
Nonetheless, Monday’s move which also included hardliner Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has been slammed by Turkish Cypriots who see it as designed to undermine the community.
And that respect is not being shown by the Nicos Anastasiades government to the legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriot side in any way.
Both sides are drafting reports on this issue to be presented to UN special envoy Jane Hall who is expected to visit Cyprus soon.
Cyprus is divided since a 1974 Turkish invasion and friction has been ongoing but relations are now at their lowest point in years.