Turkey is undermining efforts to resume negotiations by seeking a two-state solution on the island, Permanent Representative of Cyprus at the United Nations Maria Michail said in a letter to the UNSG on Saturday.

Between March 2023 and June 2024, Turkey violated the island’s airspace 2,120 times and its naval area 137 times, she said. These include the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and Turkish military exercises which violate Cyprus’ sovereignty, the letter said.

Michail added there was ongoing militarisation of the north and the buffer zone, undermining security and efforts for peaceful negotiations.

“The multitude of military violations by Turkey’s occupying powers aim to create new fait accompli and undermine the sense of security of the people, as well as efforts to resume negotiations.

“These actions reveal Ankara’s intentions to perpetuate its occupation and pose serious risks not only to the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus, but also to the security and stability of the wider Eastern Mediterranean region,” she wrote.

Michail’s letter underlined that this year marks 50 years since Turkey’s invasion and its occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus’ land. She added Turkey’s aggressive actions continue to destabilise Cyprus and the broader region.

The permanent representative called on the UN to abide by its resolutions.

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the ongoing illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus. This violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and the tragic consequences it has caused for the island and its people lie at the heart of the unacceptable and unsustainable situation we are called upon to overcome.”

Instead of “contributing to a solution as the invading and occupying power, Turkey is intensifying its efforts to impose a two-state solution on the island. Following a selective approach to Security Council resolutions, Turkey labels them as outdated when they do not match its discourse and calls on the international community to ‘face the realities on the ground’, trying to convince it that the result of its aggression has legitimate results.”

Michail made special reference to Varosha, which she said was indicative of Turkey’s blatant disregard for international law.

“This is particularly evident … where the illegal conversion of the fenced area continues unabated, despite the Security Council’s unequivocal appeal (S/PRST/2021/13) for the Turkish side to cease and reverse its violations of the status quo, completely ignoring Council resolution 550 (1984), which calls for the return of Famagusta to its legitimate inhabitants and the transfer of the area to the administration of the United Nations.”

She said it was important for the United Nations to show that there are no double standards in the implementation of its Charter.

The sovereignty and territorial integrity of states under attack must be defended, she added, regardless of the origin of the attacks or how much time has passed.

“The situation that Turkey has created in Cyprus, through the use of force and ongoing violations of human rights and international legitimacy, reflects the real ‘conditions on the ground’: namely, that violations of the Charter and Security Council resolutions have become the norm.

“It is for this reason that the Security Council must stand by its own resolutions and ensure that they are meaningful. Otherwise, the credibility of the international system is seriously undermined.”