Sadly, this July marks 44 years since Turkey illegally invaded and occupied over a third of Cyprus. Efforts to reunify the island have not yet produced a successful outcome due to Turkey’s continued unacceptable demands, for example, on the issue of security and guarantees. Turkey must take its hands off Cyprus.
In the latest round of negotiations to reunify the island, Turkey insisted on retaining its troops on the island and having ‘the right of unilateral intervention’ after a solution. These demands come despite the United Nations Security General, Antonio Guterres, making it clear that the current system of Guarantees, with intervention rights, was not sustainable. The security of all Cyprus’ citizens is best ensured through Cyprus’ membership of the EU and UN.
Turkey is becoming increasingly authoritarian and aggressive under President Erdogan. Turkey increased tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean just a few months ago when they sent warships to physically obstruct legally permitted exploratory drilling for hydrocarbons from taking place in the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This is just one of several threats that Turkey has made towards Cyprus in recent months and Turkey’s aggression, coupled with its appalling human rights record, demonstrate why Turkey should have no role in Cyprus.
Email Your MP
UK Cypriots successfully made their voices heard loud and clear on the EEZ issue a few months ago, when nearly 3000 people contacted the Foreign & Commonwealth Office regarding Turkey’s action in Cyprus’ EEZ. As a result, the Europe Minister confirmed that the UK Government “wanted to see exploration go ahead” and had “raised recent developments with Turkey”. This demonstrates the impact that we can have when we are coordinated and united as a community.
Now our community needs to make its voice heard on the crucial issue of Security and Guarantees. We need our MPs to publicly speak out against Turkey’s unacceptable demands and insist that Turkey, once and for all, takes its hands off Cyprus.
We’ve made it simply to email your MP through our website: www.cypriotfederation.org.uk/mp. Our website will find your MP, their contact details and prepare a template email – it takes less than 30 seconds and can make a big difference for Cyprus! #HandsOffCyprus