Turkish Official Inspects Abandoned Maras In Cyprus

Officials from Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) took an inspection tour to closed Maras, an abandoned city in the northern part of the divided island of Cyprus, on Friday.

Turkey's Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy visited the region to have an air and ground inspection of the closed Maras -- or Varosha in Greek.

Ersoy was accompanied by TRNC's Environment and Culture Minister Unal Ustel during his visit, according to a statement by Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry.

Closed Maras is a ghost city where entry is forbidden, with the exception of the Turkish army personnel.

Ersoy said a project to be prepared by TRNC will be submitted to Turkey's Culture and Tourism Ministry, which is ready to provide the necessary technical and financial support after an ownership inventory work is completed.

Closed Maras was abandoned after the UN Security Council passed Resolution 550 on May 11,1984, which barred the resettlement of the town. The TNRC on June 18 announced the opening of Maras to tourists.

*Writing by Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak -