Maraş discussed at PACE political affairs and democracy committee
Date Added: 13 October 2022

The report on Maraş was discussed at the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

The National Unity Party (UBP) Girne Deputy and Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Delegation Özdemir Berova and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Güzelyurt Deputy Armağan Candan also attended the committee meeting where the report was discussed.

The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Güzelyurt Deputy Armağan Candan delivered a speech at the Political Affairs and Democracy Committee at PACE in which the report on the closed city of Maraş was discussed.

In his speech he emphasized that the report on the fenced-off town of Maraş should be handled in a balanced way and that the UN Security Council resolutions should also be respected.

Noting that the situation in question should be handled in a way that contributes to the permanent solution of the Cyprus problem, Candan said that at a time when the comprehensive settlement negotiations have stalled, it is important to manage the issue of the closed city of Maraş, within the framework of confidence-building measures, in a manner that will also benefit the Turkish Cypriot people.

Noting that PACE is a very valuable international organization that has Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot, Turkish and Greek deputies, Candan stated that all parties should work in cooperation to solve the problems.

The National Unity Party (UBP) Girne deputy and Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Delegation Özdemir Berova also emphasized that the Russia-Ukraine crisis should be ended as soon as possible and peace should be re-established.

Drawing attention to the Eastern Mediterranean which is another problematic area in the region, Berova said that speeches on this issue had been given in parliament.

In relation to the report discussed on Maraş Berova said that they were pleased as the report on Maraş was not solely pro-Greek Cypriot.

Pointing out that the move to partially open up sections of Maraş had allowed the area to be evaluable, Berova stated that they will continue to speak of the realities in Cyprus to the deputies who have different opinions of Maraş.