Disy backs cabinet decision to rescind Turkish Cypriot passports

Ruling Disy said on Tuesday it agreed with a government decision to revoke the passports of 14 Turkish Cypriot officials seen as undermining the Republic, saying it was both symbolic and substantive.

In a written statement, Disy said the Republic of Cyprus must not only seek to defend its rights at an international level but also against any illegal action and violation of international law by the Turkish Cypriot leadership and Turkey.

“Towards this direction, the government’s decision conveyed to the Turkish Cypriot leadership and Turkey, the message that the only acceptable path is the implementation of international law and whatever it dictates,” Disy said.

The party had remained silent about the decision on Monday though its spokesman, Demetris Demetriou, publicly voiced opposition before the announcement.

Speaking on state television, Demetriou said decisions should be judged whether they have a positive or negative impact.

He said the matter was primarily political and from the moment the objective was to resolve the Cyprus problem, Turkish Cypriot insecurity should be reduced.

“Such an action would have the exact opposite result,” he said, adding that it would only provide the Turkish side with the argument that Greek Cypriots do not want progress.