Sidewalk Solutions

The current talks to resolve the Cyprus problem have thus far failed to gain the enthusiasm of neither the Cypriot nor Turkish Cypriot population. What is needed is for there first to be morale building for both sides, before any settlement can be embraced by the people of this island. Both communities need to feel that their futures would be better off together, with a joint solution, rather than apart, as it is today. Rather than face yet another failure of talks on the Cyprus problem – I would suggest that the current talks be put to one side and the following solution be implemented. This solution does not need either side to surrender anything. It needs only strong leadership, human resolve and money. We already have the skills in place.

The City of Famagusta is today a ghost town – since 1974 the City has been abandoned and laid to waste as a result of the Turkish invasion.  A once thriving holiday resort with fabulous beeches and even better people has been abandoned and is simply wasting away. Today the Famagusta Hotels and Cafes and Residences still stand – but are empty of their most vital resource – people. A ghost town just waiting to be rescued.

I say if we can fix Famagusta we can fix Cyprus. I propose that the City of Famagusta become a Tax Free Zone under a Joint Cypriot / Turkish Cypriot administration run by an Executive Mayor – from outside Cyprus – someone like Mayor Giuliani of New York. The City will be a duty and tax free zone – and will be an attractive investment to the international financial community. No Corporation or Business tax of any kind will be allowed – only a City Tax to pay for local maintenance etc. The tax-free environment will be made permanent to demonstrate to the world that to invest in Famagusta is to invest 100% in the future. The City will require major funding to resolve the 36-year problem of having been left vacant and empty. A Famagusta City Bond could finance this. The European Union and World Bank could provide the financial support and structure to make this happen. A Famagusta Business Plan would provide a place where Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot people can live and grow together – in peace – a place in Cyprus where both communities are charged with making Famagusta a success story. Where both communities can live for the good of both.

In the future the lessons learnt from the Famagusta Project can be used to form a solution for the rest of the wonderful Island of Cyprus. If together – we can make Famagusta a success story then we will have proved to ourselves that we can make all of Cyprus work. Once Famagusta works all Cyprus works.  Come to Cyprus and look at Famagusta – look from the Cypriot or Turkish side and weep – cry for the waste of a wonderful resource, cry for a City that is wasting away – smile for a City that could come alive again, a City of the future, where the sun always shines – a City of hope based on a wonderful idea – a City that was rescued from the dead by human resolve – a City that will lead us from it’s own waste and show us that we can solve even the Cyprus problem. Come to Sunny Cyprus, you are most welcome.