President Christodoulides commits to supporting enclaved Cypriots

President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides reiterated on Wednesday the state’s commitment to strengthen support to the almost 700 enclaved persons in Cyprus as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, who witness hardship and a daily violation of their human rights.

Addressing a presentation ceremony of book for the enclaved persons, President Christodoulides also reiterated that his priority is to reunify Cyprus, adding he will continue working tirelessly for a viable solution that would safeguard the human rights for all Cypriots.

Referring to the present state of affairs, President Christodoulides said that 680 persons, Greek Cypriots and Maronites, are living in villages in the Turkish-occupied areas, of whom 332 are enclaved (288 Greek Cypriots and 44 Maronites) and 348 persons who opted to return to their occupied homes with government support, of which 56 Greek Cypriots and 292 Maronites, while there are among them 119 children under 18 years.

The President added that these numbers show that the policies for the reinstatement of refugees to their home villages are bearing fruit “as this is the first time we see the numbers rising.” The government has implemented a scheme supporting people who opt to return to their Turkish-occupied homes with various allowances.

President Christodoulides also said that the state will step up support to the enclaved persons, with the aim to mitigate the consequences of their daily human rights violation and the difficult living conditions due to the Turkish occupation.

Referring to his forthcoming trip to New York and the meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in the presence of the UN Secretary-General, President Christodoulides said he draws “strength and belief from the endurance of our people, our enclaved persons, our refugees and the relatives of our missing persons.”

“The solution of the Cyprus problem, liberation, a viable solution is for me a priority and I will do my utmost to keep hope, prospect and the aspiration alive, not with nice words but with specific actions,” he said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. A meeting is planned for October 15, in new York, between Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, at the invitation of the UN Secretary-General.