Blanket condemnation on anniversary of UDI in the north

Turkey’s long-standing demand for a two-state solution will fail, like it failed 38 years ago, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Monday, the day of the anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) in the north.

This year marks the 38th anniversary of the declaration of the “pseudostate”, an “unacceptable act which was condemned by the entire international community with a series of UN security council resolutions calling it legally invalid and asking for its reversal,” the president said.

“The effort was aimed at achieving Turkey’s long-standing goal of a two-state solution.”

The same “unacceptable methods and demands” are expressed by the current Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and Turkey before the UN secretary-general last April, but “as they failed then, they will fail now,” the president added.

He reiterated his political will and determination to continue efforts to reach a solution based on European principles and in line with the UN resolutions “for peaceful coexistence with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots”.

House president Annita Demetriou will address an event marking the anniversary by the community of occupied municipalities at 7pm at Kykkos monastery in Nicosia.

Meanwhile, several demonstrations were taking place on the island by student groups and political parties against the declaration of independence in the northern part of Cyprus.

Local parties also rushed to make statements on the “black anniversary”.

Main-opposition Akel is holding a protest at 7pm at the UN post at Ayios Kassianos/Orfeas. The march will start from the state gallery of contemporary art opposite the Famagusta gate.

“This day reminds us all of the most serious problem facing Cyprus and our people: the occupation of our island by a foreign country,” the Green party said.

“For yet another year, Turkey was not punished for the crimes it committed against the Cypriot people,” Edek’s youth said.

Depa send a strong message that in Cyprus there is only one independent, sovereign and internationally recognised state – the Republic of Cyprus “and this reality will never change”.

In a written letter addressed to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the occasion of the 38th anniversary on Monday, an organised group of British Cypriots called on the UK government to continue to apply pressure for a “complete and fair solution” to the Cyprus problem. They added the country should defend international law and insist on a solution based on the United Nations resolutions.

“We cannot waste any more time and we call on the international community to act decisively to end the ongoing occupation and aggression of the Turkish army,” the group said.

They also condemned the promotion of permanent division supported by the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, saying this is outside the agreed framework of the United Nations.

In his own message to mark the day, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said Turkish Cypriots live in their own country under their own state, and as such it should not be abandoned.

Speaking before the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides highlighted the importance of how the “pseudo-state has been universally condemned by the international committee”.

Christodoulides said the foreign ministers will discuss Belarus and how countries cynically make use of migrants, and said they are ready to discuss measures which will be adopted at a horizontal level by EU countries against all states that follow such practices.

“In the case of Cyprus, Turkey takes advantage of human suffering almost every day,” the minister said.

According to Christodoulides, the foreign ministers were also expected to discuss how the EU will respond to Turkish actions in the fenced-off area of Varosha.