The Cyprus Issue
The Cyprus issue has deep historical roots and various internal and international dimensions. However, since the illegal Turkish invasion (July-August 1974) and the occupation, since then, of some 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, it is first and foremost an international issue of invasion and occupation in direct violation of the UN Charter and a plethora of UN resolutions.
Since 1974, Türkiye has refused to withdraw its illegal occupation troops, which have rendered Cyprus the most militarized area in the world. The Cyprus issue is also a characteristic case of ongoing, flagrant and mass violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms by Türkiye. Specifically, Türkiye violates the rights of Greek Cypriot refugees, missing persons and their relatives, as well as those who are enclaved in the occupied part of the island, while continuing systematically with illegal settlement and the destruction of cultural heritage in the occupied section of Cyprus.
In this respect, the international community has repeatedly condemned the invasion and demanded the withdrawal of the occupation forces through a long series of Decisions and Resolutions in international fora, including the UN General Assembly and Security Council, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Commonwealth countries.
In November 1983, the Turkish side proceeded to the unilateral declaration of independence of the pseudo-state in the occupied part of Cyprus. UN Security Council resolutions 541/1983 and 550/1984 condemned this illegal unilateral action, demanding its withdrawal and calling upon all states to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, and to not recognize the illegal entity or assist it in any way.
The UN Resolutions call on the two communities to find an agreed solution to the internal political problem of Cyprus through negotiations within the framework of respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, the speedy withdrawal of foreign troops, the ceasing of any foreign intervention in the affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, and the taking of immediate measures for the return of all refugees to their homes.
The United Nations Resolutions also stipulate the basis of an agreed solution, entailing a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality for Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, but with a single sovereignty, single international personality and single citizenship. Moreover, the sought-after solution, given Cyprus’s capacity as a member-state of the European Union, will have to be fully compatible with the institutional and legal EU framework and ensure the continuation of Cyprus’ effective participation in the decision-making processes of the European Union.
The ongoing cooperation and coordination between Greece and Cyprus constitute a decisive factor in achieving a comprehensive, mutually acceptable, just and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue within the framework of the relevant Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the European Union acquis (acquis communautaire) throughout all of the territory of a reunited Cyprus.
Negotiations for a resolution of the Cyprus question within the UN framework were completed without an agreement being reached at the Conference of Crans Montana in July 2017. Subsequently, during the informal 5+1 conference convened by the UN Secretary General in Geneva in April 2021, the Turkish and Turkish-Cypriot side entirely rejected the UN negotiating framework of a Bizonal, Bicommunal Federation, and have ever since been calling instead for a two-state solution.
Furthermore, in blatant violation of its obligations to the European Union (Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement, EU Declaration of 21 September 2005), Türkiye persists in its refusal to normalize its relations with and recognize the Republic of Cyprus.
Additionally, Ankara has been undertaking a campaign to internationally upgrade the illegal secessionist entity in the occupied area. Greece, in close coordination with Cyprus, and with the active support of the European Union and the United States, has actively been working to prevent this through constant diplomatic vigilance.
Immediately after his election in February 2023, President Christodoulides stated that a fundamental priority for him was to upgrade the role of the European Union in its efforts to resume negotiations within the UN framework. In the European Council Conclusions of 30.6.2023, it was agreed that the EU would take on a more active role “at all stages” of the UN-sanctioned negotiating process, which aims at a resolution of the Cyprus issue, and that it would assist “with all appropriate means at its disposal”.
This intransigence on the part of Türkiye and the Turkish-Cypriots, as far as the negotiating process is concerned, is also accompanied by the systematic attempts to impose new faits accomplis in Varosha and the Buffer Zone. The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly condemned such actions and warned with its Resolution 2674 of January 2023that any further unilateral actions in Varosha may prompt a response from the Security Council.
The most recent Turkish provocation in the Buffer Zone was the attack against the UNFICYP forces in the area of Pyla (18.8.2023), who were attempting to block unauthorized road construction by Turkish-Cypriots in the area. These Turkish-Cypriot actions, which would have facilitated the movement of the occupying forces in the area, were strongly condemned by the UN Security Council (Press Statement 21.8.2023), as well as by a large part of the international community (European Union, UN Secretary General, the “P3” Permanent Members of the Security Council, China, and Egypt).
On Greece’s part, the Prime Minister in both his visit to Cyprus (31.7.2023) and to the United Nations (21-22.9.2023) reiterated Greece’s unwavering resolve in finding a resolution to the Cyprus issue, in the framework established by the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, while reiterating that this constitutes a national priority. He also reaffirmed that relations between Greece and Cyprus are excellent and that the coordination between the countries on the Cyprus issue cannot be undermined. Similarly, the President of the Republic during her visit to Cyprus on October 1, 2024 underlined that the two countries will remain committed to the reunification of Cyprus and its people.
Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met with the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General on Cyprus, María Angela Holguín Cuéllar, on February 6 and May 14, 2024, in Athens. The discussions focused on the resumption of a dialogue between the involved parties with the goal of achieving a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal Federation within the framework of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and in accordance with the fundamental principles of the EU and the EU acquis. In addition, according to the European Council Conclusions of April 17-18, 2024, the EU attaches particular importance to the resumption and progress of the talks on resolving the Cyprus issue for the further strengthening of the EU-Türkiye cooperation. On October 15, 2024, an informal meeting between the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, and the UN Secretary General António Guterres took place in New York, following the initiative of the latter.
Greek Positions on the Cyprus Issue
• Greece’s constant cooperation and complete coordination with the Republic of Cyprus, at every level, is the cornerstone of Greece’s policy on the Cyprus issue.
• Greece will continue to remind the international community that the Cyprus issue is, first and foremost, an international issue of invasion and occupation.
• The ending of the Turkish occupation in Cyprus and the finding of a just, viable, functional and mutually acceptable resolution to the Cyprus issue, within the framework of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the European Union acquis, continue to be constant concerns and paramount national priorities of Greece’s foreign policy.
• The collective will of the international community in finding a resolution to the Cyprus question within the framework of the United Nations is expressed within the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions, including the most recent Resolution (2674, 30.1.2023) for the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate.
• It is important to note that, despite the dramatic international situation due to Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine, a spirit of fundamental cooperation is still maintained between the five Permanent Members of the Security Council.
• Additionally, we welcome the European Union’s readiness to undertake an active role at all stages in supporting the UN-sanctioned efforts in resolving the Cyprus issue with all appropriate means at its disposal, as stated in the European Council Conclusions of 30th June 2023.
• We are hoping to see stronger international solidarity towards the Republic of Cyprus, which, since 1974, has been faced not only with the continuing Turkish occupation of one-third of its territory, but also with constant threats by Türkiye to impose new faits accomplis, especially in the fenced area of Varosha and the Buffer Zone.
• Further evidence regarding Türkiye’s and the Turkish-Cypriot leadership’s objectives, which have in any case also been declared publicly, are the unilateral and illegal actions to “open” the fenced area of Varosha, in violation of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, which call for the immediate transfer of the area to UN jurisdiction.
• These Turkish and Turkish-Cypriot actions have been directly and repeatedly condemned by the United Nations Security Council in Resolutions such as 2674/2023, among others, which “emphasizes that any further unilateral actions in Varosha may prompt a response from the Security Council”.
• As long as Türkiye remains fixated on its unacceptable pretentions towards a “two-state solution”, the imposition of new faits accomplis on the ground, as well as its ongoing attempts to upgrade the international standing of the illegal secessionist entity in occupied Cyprus, it does not only completely disregard the framework of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, but it also greatly limits any potential optimism with regard to the Cyprus issue.
• Unfortunately, the messages Türkiye sends with every opportunity regarding the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue remain negative.
• However, Turkish intransigence is not going to weaken Greece’s steadfast resolve in seeing a resumption of negotiations, always within the given framework of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
• The resolution which Greece pursues can only be found through negotiations, within the mutually agreed upon framework of the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions, which are binding on every state.
• A resolution must relieve the Republic of Cyprus from the Turkish occupation army, from the anachronistic system of Guarantees and from the right of third countries to interfere in the internal affairs of Cyprus.
• Finally, a resolution must also secure the unhindered implementation of the European Union acquis throughout the entire territory of the reunified Republic of Cyprus.