FAMAGUSTA ANNUAL RALLY

Early day motion 2159, tabled 27 October 2009 by Rudi Vis (Labour). Signed by 27 members.

That this House warmly supports the Mayor of Famagusta, Mr Alexis Galanoo, and the members of the Famagusta Municipality on again organising the annual Famagusta Rally to highlight the ongoing injustice Famagusta and its people continue to face in their campaign to return to their homes and lands within the Famagusta area due to the ongoing occupation by the Turkish army, as it is now over 35 years since the invasion and occupation of a large area of the Republic of Cyprus; calls on the British Government to give far greater commitment to this issue in view of the fact that Cyprus is a Commonwealth country and a fellow member of the European Union; and further calls on the Government to make clear to Mr Talat and the Turkish government that the full reopening and development of Famagusta would bring benefits to both Greek and Turkish Cypriots and should greatly strengthen confidence-building in both communities, that would help towards a full agreement for the honourable settlement of this long-running tragedy on the island of Cyprus.

Signatures by party: Labour 20, Liberal Democrat 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1.