The only way to prevent and terminate Turkey’s delinquent behaviour is to adopt a decisive stance, which will send clear messages and impose the notion that Turkey cannot continue to behave as if we are still in the 18th century, when the Ottoman Empire thought it could act undisturbed, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has said.
Addressing an event at the Presidential Palace on Monday evening, to mark the 46th anniversary of the Turkish invasion, President Anastasiades said “we demand a solution that will be in full compliance with the EU principles and values, and the UN resolutions.”
The address was read out by Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides.
President Anastasiades referred to the efforts made so far by the Greek Cypriot side and the constructive proposals it has put forward, noting that “we expect the Turkish side to adopt a similar attitude.”
He said it was necessary to prepare properly and create the conditions that would allow a dialogue on the basis of cooperation and goodwill, and furthermore pointed out the importance of unity among the people and the political forces.
The President said that 46 years later, the Turkish side was celebrating the invasion, the subsequent occupation of the island’s northern third, the displacement of over 165,000 Greek Cypriots, the murder of thousands of others, and the 1,500 persons who are still missing.
“And despite the continuous condemnation of these crimes by the international community, the UN resolutions, the ECHR rulings, Turkey not only continues to violate every principle of international law, but recently is appearing even more provocative, even more threatening, and totally indifferent to its illegal actions, which are causing destabilisation in the broader region,” he said.
President Anastasiades also referred to the events that preceded the Turkish invasion, namely the coup d`état. “It is from this coup absurdity by the Athens Junta and all those who participated in its designs, but mainly the tragic consequences it brought about, that today we must learn from this example,” he said.
He noted that Turkey continues its same intransigent stance and provocative policy. Now, the President said, Turkey is carrying out an invasion by sea in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, under the pretext once again of defending the interests of the Turkish Cypriots.
“Which interests is it protecting, when its demands equal looting 44% of Cyprus’ EEZ for its own benefit, indeed to the detriment of the rights and interests of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots?” he wondered.
President Anastasiades furthermore referred to the public remarks and actions on behalf of Turkish officials, and “unfortunately some within the Turkish Cypriot community,” which point to plans to colonise the fenced-off town of Varosha, in contradiction to UN resolutions.
He said Turkey was not only turning against Cyprus, but Greece and most of its neighbouring countries, and just recently decided to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Meanwhile, the added, the EU is being blackmailed by Turkey regarding the migration issue.
President Anastasiades said there was much more he could mention regarding Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s policies, both domestic and abroad, noting that “Turkey is turning into a trouble-maker in the area.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
