Cyprus withdraws passports from Turkish Cypriot officials over reopening of Varosha

NICOSIA — Spokesperson for the Government of Cyprus Marius Pelicanos said Nicosia had decided to withdraw passports from Turkish Cypriot officials in the northern part of the island because of hostilities, indicating that the decision was based on Turkish and Turkish Cypriot efforts to open the closed Varosha area. Pelicanos did not specifying the names of the officials whose passports would be withdrawn.

“The Cabinet decided not to renew or issue passports belonging to the Republic of Cyprus to a number of persons who are participants in the Varosha Committee,” Pelicanos said.

“By their actions, they undermine the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus in contravention of the provisions of the Constitution and are engaged in concrete hostilities against the Republic of Cyprus to promote the implementation of Turkey’s plans to change Varosha’s closed status, contrary to U.N. Security Council resolutions.”