UNSG’s report ‘does not reflect the gravity of Turkish provocations’

The UN Secretary-general’s reports on Cyprus do not reflect gravity of Turkish provocations, the island’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Andreas Hadjichrysanthou has said.

He was speaking at a gathering organised in Flushing, New York of the Federation of Cypriot American Organisations and Pseka to mark the coup and Turkish invasion.

Hadjichrysanthou referred to the wording on the agreed basis for a solution, as set out by UN Security Council resolutions and which the Turkish side, he said, aggressively questions by demanding a two-state solution.

He also referred to the Varosha issue and the Turkish President’s intention to make provocative announcements during his visit to the north on July 20, the anniversary of the invasion.

The Cyprus government, he added, was closely monitoring developments and has made plans to handle Turkish actions, including resorting to the Security Council.

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America said the slogan “I don’t forget” is not a threat to anyone, nor a warning. It is an obligation, he added.

The Federation of Cypriot American Organisations President Kyriakos Papastylianou said he was very concerned about the course of the Cyprus problem and called on overseas Greeks to support the efforts to promote the Cyprus issue at parliamentary and government decision making centres.

Pseka leader Philip Christopher said overseas Cypriots had pledged to continue the fight for a solution. He also expressed hope that President Joe Biden, who has good knowledge of the Cyprus problem, has made promises. “We hope that we have chosen a new president that understands the issues. It might be too early, he added, but I am still sure he will keep his promises,” he said.

UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.

On October 8, 2020, the Turkish side opened part of the fenced area of Varosha, following an announcement made in Ankara on October 6. Both the UN Secretary-General and the EU expressed concern, while the UN Security Council called for the reversal of this course of action.