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Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, speaking at the UN General Assembly, criticized Turkey’s ongoing occupation of the north of Cyprus and rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's characterization of the 1974 invasion as a "peace operation." Christodoulides called it an affront to international law, stressing that invasions and acts of aggression should not be misrepresented, and international law must be applied equally to all nations.
The Cypriot president reaffirmed his commitment to resuming peace negotiations under the framework of UN Security Council resolutions. He aims for a reunified Cyprus, free from foreign troops, where all Cypriots enjoy the same rights as other Europeans. He also underlined that this commitment to peace was echoed by both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, emphasizing a shared desire for reunification.
In addition to addressing Cyprus' longstanding division, Christodoulides highlighted the country's role in the Middle East peace process. He called for a political resolution to the ongoing conflict in the region, urging de-escalation in Gaza and supporting humanitarian efforts through Cyprus' proposed aid corridor. He also voiced concern about rising tensions in Lebanon, calling for immediate restraint to prevent further regional destabilization.
Christodoulides announced Cyprus' candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term, signaling the country's commitment to promoting global human rights. He stressed that Cyprus has always supported humanitarian values, as demonstrated by its response to regional crises and its long-standing support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
Looking back on Turkey's 50-year occupation of the north of Cyprus, Christodoulides challenged Turkey to honor international law and work toward peace. He urged Turkey to join Cyprus in transforming their geographic proximity from a source of conflict into an opportunity for cooperation, proposing a legacy of peace that would benefit the entire region.
Watch his speech below:
