After 46 years, Cypriot ghost town's beach opens to public

pristine, azure waters lapping at skirts of uninhabited Varosha contrast sharply with dilapidated, crumbling buildings lining beachfront of this abandoned suburb of Famagusta.

For first time in 46 years, members of public were permitted on Thursday to access beach of Varosha in breakaway Turkish Cypriot rth of ethnically divided Cyprus.

Hundreds filed through a gate manned by Turkish Cypriot police to walk on a freshly paved asphalt road leading to beach that was jewel of what was once Cyprus' premier tourist resort. road was lined on both sides with police tape to prevent pedestrians straying into windowless homes and rusting business, some swallowed up by decades-old, snake-infested undergrowth.

For some, like one woman draped in Turkish and Turkish Cypriot flags, it was a moment of joy to witness an “historic” moment.

For ors, like Greek Cypriot Varosha native Kyriakos Charalambides watching on TV from his Nicosia home, it was a moment of bitterness and sorrow. “Even though I expected this, I shuddered as I watched those familiar places,” Charalambides, a playwright, told Associated Press. “It’s a sorrow that cant be consoled ... Varosha is lost.”

decision, by Turkey and breakaway Turkish Cypriot state recognized only by Ankara, to open mile-long stretch of beach was roundly condemned by island’s Greek Cypriot-run, internationally-recognized government.

Varosha’s Greek Cypriot inhabitants fled as Turkish troops advanced in 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Since n, area was placed under Turkish military control, cordoned off and left to ravs of time.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades condemned opening as a “flagrant violation of international law” and United Nations Security Council resolutions that consider attempts to settle any part of Varosha — Maras in Turkish — by anyone or than its inhabitants as “inadmissible.” resolutions also call for area to be transferred to U.N. administration.

Greek Cypriots fear beach opening is only a first step to Turkey and Turkish Cypriots completely taking over Varosha.

Anastasiades said in a statement Thursday that his government has already protested to U.N., European Union and or international organizations. He repeated that “unilateral” action could hinder attempts at relaunching stalled talks to reunify island.

Both U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell expressed concern at action y said could heighten tensions and undermine fresh attempts at restarting talks.

Former Varosha residents std a demonstration late Thursday at a crossing point along a U.N. controlled buffer zone to voice ir opposition to opening. checkpoint — one of nine from which Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can cross on eir side — was shut on Turkish Cypriot side as part of measures to counter spread of COVID-19.

“How can someone t be upset by what y have seen today?” Greek Cypriot mayor of Famagusta, Simos Ioanu told Associated Press. “Varosha should have been handed over to its rightful owners ... this is psychological pressure.”

But Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials insist move is to everyone’s benefit and that rights of Greek Cypriot property owners aren’t affected since it’s only beach that’s opening for w.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said an inventory on all properties within Varosha is currently underway to determine what will happen with rest of Varosha.

But at least for w, opening of seafront and some roads where re is private property was important,” Cavusoglu said after a meeting on Thursday with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias.

“It will be useful to take such steps that are to benefit of all, that respect private property rights, without violating U.N. decisions,” Cavusoglu said.

opening took place just three days before Turkish Cypriots elect a new leader to represent m in U.N.-facilitated peace talks.

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