Newsroom
Fifty-two years after the Turkish invasion, President Nikos Christodoulides said the memory of those who lost their lives in 1974 carries a responsibility for today’s leadership: to continue efforts to end the division of Cyprus.
At 5:30 a.m. on Monday, air raid sirens sounded across Cyprus once again, marking the moment Turkish forces launched the invasion in 1974. The annual siren reminder brought back memories of the morning when thousands of Cypriots were forced to flee their homes, while others lost their lives or remain missing more than five decades later.
Speaking after the memorial service at the Tomb of Makedonitissa for the officers and soldiers killed during the invasion, Christodoulides said the country’s heroes “define the duty and responsibility” of those currently in power to do everything possible to reunite Cyprus.
“Today is a difficult day and certainly not for many words,” the president said, referring to the fallen soldiers and missing persons whose fate remains linked to the island’s unresolved division.
Focus turns to UN Secretary-General visit
Christodoulides also pointed to the upcoming visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, saying Cyprus’ goal is to convene an expanded conference where the resumption of peace talks would be announced.
He said the Republic of Cyprus has already informed the UN of its readiness to return to negotiations from the point where they stopped, adding that progress depends on Turkey’s response.
“We will all be judged by actions and not by statements,” he said, stressing that recent diplomatic efforts must now translate into concrete steps.
EU role grows
The president also highlighted the European Union’s increased involvement in the Cyprus issue, saying Brussels has a key role to play both in EU-Turkey relations and in ensuring any future settlement remains within European principles and laws.
“The Republic of Cyprus is a member state and will continue to be so after a possible solution,” he said.
Christodoulides added that positive developments in EU-Turkey relations would require progress on the Cyprus issue.
Erdogan absence “changes nothing”
Asked about reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will not personally attend events in the occupied areas marking the anniversary of the invasion, Christodoulides said this does not change Cyprus’ position.
Whether Erdogan or another Turkish official attends, he said, “nothing changes” regarding what he described as Turkey’s responsibility for the events of 1974.
As Cyprus marks another anniversary of the island’s division, attention now turns to whether the upcoming UN visit can move the long-stalled peace process forward or whether another diplomatic effort will end without a breakthrough.
