Efforts to gain international recognition for the north “remain without any support whatsoever”, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday, the 41st anniversary of the north’s unilateral declaration of independence.

He said he will “never allow and never accept” the division of Cyprus, adding, the Republic of Cyprus is the only legal state in Cyprus and the government of the Republic of Cyprus is the only recognised authority on Cypriot territory.

He added that “we must never forget that we have been an integral part of European territory” and that “illegality does not produce law”.

“Today also serves as a reminder of our duty to work to reverse what was caused by Turkey’s illegal invasion of our country in 1974 and the continued presence of occupied troops for 50 years,” he said.

He added that his government “remains committed to the effort to create the conditions for the resumption of meaningful negotiations for the resolution of the Cyprus problem, with the aim of liberating our country from the occupying troops and realising its reunification.”

“In addition to international law, at the forefront of the effort I am conducting to create the conditions to resolve the Cyprus problem is upgrading the Republic of Cyprus’ role, as a result of the strategy we are following to establish our country as a pillar of security and stability in this particularly important region,” he said.

He added that Cyprus is “leveraging its European status” to “expand our power, increase our diplomatic footprint, and create strategic cooperation”.

“The Republic of Cyprus is the common home of all its legal citizens, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins, for whom we are working to ensure conditions of democracy, security, and prosperity,” he said.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministry said it “condemns the Republic of Turkey’s ongoing effort to promote a so-called ‘two-state’ solution to the Cyprus problem, which is in violation of international law and the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions.”

“The international community, including the European Union, has made it clear that it supports efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem only within the agreed framework, on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality,” it added.

It said the government “remains firmly committed to this effort, with the aim of reuniting Cyprus and its people, in accordance with international law.”

“We are working towards a comprehensive solution that will fulfil the aspirations of all the Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, for the liberation and reunification of our homeland, and a peaceful future of prosperity for all citizens of Cyprus within the EU,” it added.