‘Green’ reconstruction of the city of Famagusta
17.6.2010
Question for written answer E-4766/2010
to the Commission
Rule 117
Michail Tremopoulos (Verts/ALE)
In 1974, the Greek Cypriot quarter (Varosha) of the city of Famagusta was occupied by Turkish troops. Since then, it has remained a sealed-off ghost town, closed both to its inhabitants and to visitors. European Parliament resolution B7-0068/2010[1] on Turkey's progress report 2009 calls, inter alia, on Turkey to return the sealed-off section of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants in compliance with Resolution 550(1984) of the United Nations Security Council. The European Parliament had already adopted a resolution in 1993 calling for the restoration of Famagusta under UN administration[2]. The Cypriot Government has proposed since August 2004 that the return of the town should be combined with the opening of the port of Famagusta to both the communities of Cyprus under the control of the EU[3], a proposal that would also resolve the issue of direct trade between the Turkish Cypriots and the EU and third countries.
During my visit to Cyprus in August 2009, I put forward a proposal[4] for a ‘green Famagusta, where Greek and Turkish Cypriots, with the aid of the EU, can rebuild a new city … a positive model using the experience of the green cities of Europe’, which was well received. This proposal could include wide-ranging, creative projects, such as redesigning the abandoned buildings to minimise their energy requirements, household applications for renewable forms of energy, facilities for re-using water through biological treatment, infrastructure for bicycles and public transport, pedestrian areas, green and bioclimatic design of public places, creating access for the disabled, equipment for recycling and composting refuse, bilingual IT applications, etc.
Will the Commission say whether the measures ensuing from the above proposals for a ‘green Famagusta’ would be eligible for cofunding from European resources?
- [1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-0068&language=EN
- [2] Resolutions B3-0058, 0065 and 0069/93.
- [3] 16 April 2010, Cyprus Mail.
- [4] Cyprus News Agency — Nicosia 27 August 2009, 1:07:02 p.m.
OJ C 191 E, 01/07/2011