Anastasiades: unity is key to stopping Turkish provocations (Updated)

President Nicos Anastasiades on Saturday said that unity is key to preventing Turkey’s provocations in Cyprus so that the island can become a modern European country without an occupation army and anachronistic guarantees.

Anastasiades was speaking to the Cyprus News Agency on the occasion of the anniversary of the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, in 1974 and the occupation of Mesaoria, Famagusta, Karpasia and Morphou.

“The Greek Cypriot side remains committed to the goal of finding a just, functional and viable solution to the problem of Cyprus,” he said, adding that 47 years later, Turkey’s actions do not respect the international law.

He said that it is Turkish intransigence that “has not allowed the achievement of a solution that would lead to a really independent and sovereign state.”

Turkey follows an offensive strategy aiming at a two-state solution in Cyprus and at creating, through its illegal activities both at sea and on the ground, “a new fait accompli against the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus”, Anastasiades said.

The president reiterated that the reopening of the fenced off city of Varosha in Famagusta is a blatant violation of the security council resolutions by “Turkey’s expansionist policy, which is being implemented by Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, and his aides” which aims to change the status quo.

“Turkey’s actions have been strongly condemned. At the same time, it has been reiterated that the settlement of the Cyprus problem must be based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation,” he added.

Anastasiades said that we aim at a Cyprus settlement that will “terminate the occupation, will abolish the guarantees and will create the conditions for a peaceful co-existence of all the inhabitants of the island”.

He added that on August 14, 1974, the Turkish forces proceeded with their expansionist plans despite the ceasefire that was agreed, violating the international law.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias also made statements to mark the anniversary assuring the Cypriot government of Greece’s support in finding a viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

In a tweet, Dendias said the day is a remembrance that the Cyprus issue is “primarily a matter of invasion and occupation of an independent and sovereign state – a member of the United Nations and the EU.”

It also a day of debt to the thousands of refugees, displaced and enclaved, Dendias added.