The numerous instances of military violations/moves forward by the Turkish occupation forces aim to create new faits accomplis and undermine efforts for the resumption of negotiations, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations, Ambassador Maria Michael, says in a letter addressed to the UN Secretary General.
The Ambassador in the letter she sent on behalf of the Cypriot government outlines the numerous violations by Turkey of Cyprus’ airspace, territorial waters and international air traffic regulations from March 2023 to June 2024.
According to the letter, total of 2,120 air violations and 137 naval violations were recorded. These acts include the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Turkish military exercises, which violated Cyprus’ sovereignty. The letter emphasizes the continued militarization of occupied areas and the buffer zone, undermining security and efforts toward peace negotiations.
‘The numerous instances of military violations/moves forward by the Turkish occupation f
orces aim to create new faits accomplis and undermine both the sense of security of the people as well as efforts for the resumption of negotiations. Such actions are revealing of Ankara’s intentions in perpetuating its occupation and entail grave risks not only for Cyprus’ security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also for the security and stability of the wider Eastern Mediterranean region,’ she notes.
Furthermore, the Ambassador points out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the illegal occupation of 37% of Cyprus by Turkey and its aggressive actions continue to destabilize Cyprus and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. Cyprus Mission’s letter highlights the need for the UN to uphold its resolutions to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus.
‘This year marks 50 years of the continuing Turkish illegal occupation in Cyprus. This violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and the tragic consequences it has created for our isl
and and its people lie at the heart of today’s unacceptable and unsustainable status quo that we are called upon to overcome. Instead, as the invader and occupying force in Cyprus, Trkiye is stepping up its efforts to impose a ‘two-State solution’ on the island. Following an a la carte approach to Security Council resolutions, Trkiye chooses to brand these as obsolete when they do not fit its discourse and calls on the international community to ‘face the realities on the ground’ in an attempt to convince it that the result of its aggression is a valid legal effect,’ she noted.
It is further pointed out that Turkey’s aggressive actions and rhetoric are a destabilizing factor both on the ground in Cyprus and in the wider region and the continuous violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Cyprus and, by consequence, of the Charter of the United Nations, demonstrates Turkey’s blatant contempt for international law.
‘This is particularly evident in the case of Varosha, where the unlawful transfo
rmation of the fenced area continues unabated, despite the clear call by the Security Council (see S/PRST/2021/13) to the Turkish side to stop and reverse the violations of the status quo, and is in total disregard of Security Council resolution 550 (1984), in which the Council calls for the return of Varosha to its lawful inhabitants and the transfer of the area to the administration of the United Nations,’ she stressed.
The Permanent Representative of Cyprus also noted that in the current global geopolitical context, it is imperative for the United Nations to demonstrate that there are no double standards in the application of the Charter. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of States under attack must be defended, no matter where the attacks are coming from or how much time has passed. This is certainly true in the case of Cyprus, where the problem remains one of military invasion and continued illegal occupation, she added.
‘The situation Trkiye has created in Cyprus, through the use of force and
the unceasing violations of human rights and international legality, are what the ‘realities on the ground’ are really about: that this is where violations of the Charter and Security Council resolutions have become the norm. This is precisely why the Security Council must stand behind its own resolutions and ensure they have meaning; otherwise, the credibility of the international system is severely undermined,’ she finally said.
Source: Cyprus News Agency