The Republic of Cyprus condemns Turkey for attempting to annex the occupied areas of Cyprus, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides told members of the House Committee on Foreign and European Affairs.
The Foreign Ministry, he said, has prepared a paper which was circulated to all heads of Cyprus` diplomatic missions abroad, in order to convey it to foreign governments. The paper refers inter alia to the increase of the illegal settlers through granting so-called citizenship, the increase of islamic influence with 300 mosques, the religious schools, the educational reforms which introduce an islamic type of education in the Turkish Cypriot community `which is obviously secular`, the economic protocols, or the attempts to change the so-called `judicial system`.
The paper also notes the violation of human rights by Turkey in the occupied areas and the arrests based on suspicion that people are members of the Gülen organization.
In addition to the diplomatic missions abroad, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus at the UN will submit a letter which will be circulated to all UN member states.
As regards the transfer of water from Turkey to the occupied areas, Kasoulides said that the water quantity is not sufficient and that the project was given to companies suspected of having relations with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. In addition, he noted that the cost of the water is probably even higher now.
He also said that the same companies are being active in the occupied areas in various investments and that there are thoughts of transferring electricity as well. He concluded by saying that the EU responsible bodies have been informed about the electricity issue.
The Republic of Cyprus, a full EU member state since 2004, has been divided by Turkish troops since 1974, when Turkey invaded and since then occupies 37% of Cyprus` territory. On November 15, 1983 the Turkish Cypriots unilaterally declared a so called state. This act has been condemned by the UN and no country other than Turkey has recognised this illegal secessionist entity.