The President and the government of Cyprus call on Turkey to put an end to the occupation of the island’s northern third and abandon its intransigent positions that are not conducive to a settlement.
“This day evokes dark memories” says Deputy Government Spokesman Viktoras Papadopoulos, in a written announcement issued by the Presidential Palace on the anniversary of the second stage of the 1974 Turkish invasion in Cyprus.
Papadopoulos continues by saying that the President of the Republic and the government condemn the continuous occupation of part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus and call on Ankara to fully implement UN resolutions and international law provisions, by withdrawing its troops from Cyprus.
They also call on Turkey to abandon its intransigent positions, which led the Conference on Cyprus in Crans Montana to collapse, in order for Cyprus to become “an independent, normal European state”, says the Deputy Spokesman.
Papadopoulos notes that the President of Cyprus has repeatedly stated his readiness to return to the negotiating table “even tomorrow” and continue the talks if Turkey is ready to implement the parameters set by the UN Secretary General with regards to security, guarantees, intervention rights and occupation troops.
The President also calls on all political parties to cooperate to address Turkish intransigence, the Deputy Government Spokesman concludes.
The Turkish army invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, and launched the second phase of its invasion on August 14 of the same year, occupying the best part of Mesaoria, Famagusta, Karpasia and Morphou.
UN-peace talks at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana commenced on June 28. In the early hours of July 7 it was announced that the Conference on Cyprus ended without an agreement.
The talks, held under the auspices of the UN, aim at reuniting Cyprus under a federal roof. The island remains divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.