Greek Cypriots in the south and Turkish Cypriots in the north - the Mediterranean island has been divided for 47 years.
Conversations for a solution are stuck.
Now a controversial decision is causing displeasure.
Nicosia - The Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey, is promoting the controversial opening of the coastal settlement of Varosha, which was once inhabited by Greek Cypriots.
Northern Cyprus President Ersin Tatar announced on Tuesday, according to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, that the status as a restricted military area would be lifted and that more areas of this part of the city of Famagusta would be made accessible. Eligible persons could also request the return of property, he said. Tatar and his supporter, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, took part in an event aimed at dividing the island 47 years ago.
Erdogan spoke of a "new era" for the former tourist stronghold of Varosha.
The Cypriot government in Nicosia, on the other hand, reacted indignantly to the move on the anniversary of the division of the Mediterranean island, of all places.
The announcement is an attempt to soften the status quo in the city of Famagusta.
This violates UN resolutions on the conflict over the divided island, said Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades.
He announced reactions.
Criticism also came from Greece.
"Turkey must immediately stop its provocative and illegal behavior and comply with international law," said Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.
In 1974, Greek Cypriot national guards carried out a coup on Cyprus with the aim of uniting the island with Greece. A Turkish military intervention followed. The island has since been divided into a larger Greek Cypriot part in the south and a smaller Turkish Cypriot part in the north. Around 40,000 residents of the Greek Cypriot district of Varosha in Famagusta had fled the Turkish army at the time.
Last year Tatar in Northern Cyprus - at that time still as head of government - decided to reopen a beach promenade in Varosha. This was a serious provocation for the Republic of Cyprus, which was also sharply criticized internationally. The step that has now been announced goes much further. Greek Cypriots could be put under pressure either to move into their old houses and live under Turkish Cypriot administration, or to have compensation paid out.
President Erdogan inaugurated a mosque in Varosha on Tuesday via video from Lefkosa in northern Cyprus. During his two-day visit to the northern part of the island, he spoke out in favor of a two-state solution several times, and based this on further solution discussions. "If it is not accepted that there are two peoples and two states with equal status, no progress in the negotiations can be guaranteed," he said.
The United Nations (UN) has been trying unsuccessfully for decades to find a solution to the Cyprus conflict. The aim of the UN is to form a federation of two politically equal federal states - a Greek-Cypriot in the south and a Turkish-Cypriot in the north. Turkey is against it. On the other hand, the EU rejects the formation of two states, as requested by Tatar and Erdogan. Cyprus has been a member of the EU since 2004. However, EU regulations and EU law only apply in the Greek-Cypriot south. dpa
