Athens decries Erdogan’s remarks from Cyprus’ Turkish-occupied north

Greece has expressed strong concern over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks on his envisioned future of Cyprus during a visit to the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus on Saturday, warning that any unilateral move to alter the status of the region undermines ongoing peace efforts.

“At a time when a significant effort is being made by the UN Secretary General on the Cyprus problem, with the resumption of the informal talks and the appointment of Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar as Personal Envoy, any action to create a fait accompli in the occupied territories is an extremely negative development,” Greek diplomatic sources noted on Sunday, swiftly responding to Erdogan’s statements.

During his visit to the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus on Saturday, Erdogan asserted: “We, the Turkish nation and the Turkish Cypriots, are the owners of this land. Whoever doesn’t know this must learn it. Whoever hasn’t heard it must hear it.” He pledged Turkey’s occupation of northern Cyprus will last “for centuries.”

Athens reiterated its steadfast commitment to the reunification of Cyprus within the framework established by the United Nations, highlighting that a just and lasting solution would serve the interests of all Cypriots and contribute to regional peace and stability.

Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup backed by Greece. Only Turkey recognizes the Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence in the island’s northern third, where it maintains more than 35,000 troops.

Source: pagenews.gr