Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the assault against the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and the attempt by the occupying forces to create faits accomplis on the ground

We unequivocally condemn today's unacceptable assault by Turkish Cypriots against members of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), who attempted to block unauthorized road construction works inside the buffer zone near Pyla.

The attempt to create faits accomplis within the buffer zone constitutes a flagrant violation of the status quo, while the assault on members of a UN peacekeeping force is an act of contempt for International Law.

Illegal construction works must stop immediately. Any kind of activity that would further escalate the situation should be avoided.

Such actions do not contribute in any way to the UN's efforts to resume talks on resolving the Cyprus issue.

Greece is in full coordination with the Republic of Cyprus and will take all appropriate actions within international organisations and towards governments.