Turkey’s aggressive statements create dangerous climate, says defence minister

Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides said on Sunday that Turkey’s provocative actions and aggressive behaviour against Cyprus and Greece create a dangerous climate.

Addressing the unveiling ceremony of the bust of missing person Vassilis Kkolias in the village of Maroni, in Larnaca, Petrides said that “our country is undoubtedly undergoing crucial moments,” adding that this period is one “defined particularly by Turkey’s provocative actions and a dangerous climate created by its aggressive statements and overall behaviour against Cyprus and Greece.”

The Defence Minister recalled that the European Parliament has officially asked for a suspension of Turkey’s EU accession talks and the need for international law and the Law of the Sea to be respected.

He reiterated that “the basis of the solution of the Cyprus problem is a bizonal, bicommunal federation in accordance with UN resolutions and those of the UN Security Council.”

The 5+1 Informal Meeting that took place in Geneva, on April 27-29, failed to find enough common ground to allow for the resumption of formal negotiations in relation to the settlement of the Cyprus problem.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he will convene another meeting of the 5+1, the five plus the United Nations, again with the objective to move in the direction of reaching common ground to allow for formal negotiations to start.

Kkolias’ remains were located in a mass grave in Turkish occupied Mia Milia village as part of the Committee on Missing Persons’ work to exhume and identify remains of missing persons in Cyprus.