UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Wednesday warned against action that would change the status quo of Varosha, a part of the Cypriot city of Famagusta that has been uninhabited since 1974.
In a press statement, the Security Council recalled the importance of the status of Varosha as set out in its previous resolutions, and reiterated that "no actions should be carried out in relation to Varosha that are not in accordance with those resolutions."
In resolution 550 of 1984, the Security Council considered inadmissible any efforts to populate Varosha with people other than its inhabitants and called for a transfer of the area to the administration of the United Nations.
In resolution 2483 adopted on July 25, 2019, the Security Council recalled the status of Varosha "as set out in relevant resolutions."
The statement was released after the Security Council held closed-door consultations at the request of the Republic of Cyprus, which cited recent threats by the authorities of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots to change the status of Varosha.
In the statement, the Security Council reaffirmed resolution 2483 and the importance of "an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement of the Cyprus issue based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality."
In this regard, council members called on parties to engage constructively and with a sense of urgency. They also encouraged leaders to agree on and implement new confidence-building measures.
The members urged the sides and all involved participants to refrain from any actions and rhetoric that might damage the chances of success for a settlement, said the statement.
Cyprus was split along ethnic lines in 1974 when Turkey intervened militarily following a coup by Athens-backed Greek Cypriots.
