Newsroom / CNA
President Nicos Christodoulides called on Turkey on Wednesday to take “responsible” steps toward ending its occupation of northern Cyprus and achieving reunification, speaking to the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
Christodoulides said Cyprus is following a path of responsibility and is prepared to take on a larger role in maintaining security and stability across the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Middle East. He stressed his personal commitment to uniting Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, and Latins under a reconciled homeland.
“From this podium yesterday, President Erdoğan spoke of peace and responsibility while accusing others of actions that Turkey itself commits,” Christodoulides said, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s speech the day before. “Illegality arising from the use of force cannot be accepted, no matter who commits it or who suffers.”
Christodoulides called on Turkey to negotiate a comprehensive settlement that would reunite Cyprus as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation in accordance with U.N. resolutions, European Union law, and fundamental principles of justice.
Parallels with Ukraine
Christodoulides compared Turkey’s 1974 invasion of Cyprus with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “In 2022, Russia invaded a sovereign state, Ukraine, violating the United Nations Charter. In 1974, Turkey invaded a sovereign state, Cyprus, violating the United Nations Charter. The violation is the same. The suffering. The invasion and the occupation,” he said.
He noted that Cyprus has been under Turkish occupation for 51 years and spoke of the human toll, including displaced families, sexual violence against women, and destruction of cultural and religious heritage. He said the town of Varosha (Famagusta) “remains held hostage by Turkey, awaiting the return of its lawful residents as mandated by relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”
Christodoulides also criticized ongoing Turkish settlement policies and the continued search for missing persons. “As a small child in the years following the invasion, the images of mothers and children crying for their loved ones are etched in my memory. The occupiers’ plan remains always the same,” he said.
He drew further parallels to Ukraine, condemning the use of violence against sovereign nations, the killing of civilians, the abduction of children, and widespread destruction. “Every time we close our eyes to violations of territorial integrity and state sovereignty anywhere in the world, we provide space and opportunity to the next perpetrator,” he said.
Cyprus’ Role in regional stability
Christodoulides said Cyprus is ready to serve as a stabilizing force in the region. “My country, Cyprus, is walking this path of responsibility. And it is ready to go further; to assume an even more active role as a pillar of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East,” he said.
He noted Cyprus’ recent humanitarian and security efforts, including facilitating evacuations from conflict zones and the creation of the maritime corridor “Amalthea” to aid civilians affected by the Hamas attack and the war in Gaza. Cyprus has also appointed a Special Envoy to protect religious freedoms and minorities in the Middle East and partnered with Jordan to establish a European Regional Firefighting Hub.
“I am very proud that Cyprus is walking this path of responsibility. And we are determined to expand it,” Christodoulides said.
Gaza and the need for peace
Christodoulides called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid. “There is no substitute for peace. This war must end,” he said. He also demanded the release of all hostages and urged that international law be respected.
He reaffirmed the pursuit of a two-state solution: “We have a responsibility to continue working toward a future where Israel and Palestine coexist side by side in conditions of lasting security and peace. And we must be clear and categorical that Hamas, a terrorist organization, has no place in such a future,” he said.
EU Presidency and global engagement
Christodoulides said Cyprus will assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union in January 2026. “This Presidency represents yet another moment of responsibility for Cyprus,” he said, adding that Nicosia will act “fully aware of what is at stake” to strengthen multilateralism, deepen integration, and support partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.
He also noted Cyprus’ upcoming term on the U.N. Human Rights Council and its candidacy for the Presidency of the 81st session of the General Assembly. “It is in this same context that we proudly presented our candidacy for the Presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly,” he said.
Diplomacy as the path forward
Christodoulides concluded by stressing the importance of dialogue and collective action in a rapidly changing world. “Beyond better, we are also stronger together, more resilient together,” he said. “It is time to turn promises into bold action. Into change. History will look back on this moment. And it will be unforgiving. It will judge us all, not by the statements we proclaim, but by the change we make possible.”
