The government on Friday condemned the visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the north, saying recent remarks from Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials are not only provocative but confirm Ankara’s ongoing pursuit of a separatist agenda.

Asked to comment on Erdogan’s visit and the overflights by Turkish fighter jets violating the Nicosia FIR, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said: “Every illegal visit to our occupied areas can only be deplorable.”

“This particular visit, combined with the recent statements made by [Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin] Tatar and other sources attributed to Turkey, once again confirms the other side’s fixation on a separatist course,” he added.

Letymbiotis said these actions “are not only provocative, but also show contempt for the international community, the UN Security Council resolutions, and the European Union itself.”

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“Of course, we are monitoring (the situation) and we will observe on alert, we are in constant contact through all diplomatic means with everyone, be it the EU and its institutions or international partners with which the Republic of Cyprus maintains close ties,” he said.

The spokesman said “legality is not negotiable and in no circumstance will we allow our voice to be muffled by the challenges.”

“We will never allow a deviation from the great aim, which is the solution of the Cyprus problem, especially in a time when any preparation and work ahead of Geneva in July 2025 is intensive. We want this multilateral conference to constitute the springboard for the resumption of negotiations,” he added.

Letymbiotis stressed that “no matter how many provocations are raised, they will not derail us, we will remain committed to the solution” of the Cyprus problem.

“Our response to the provocation is consistency and to arbitrariness is legality. The issue here is that no change of name can wash away illegality. The pseudo-state is the product of illegal invasion and occupation,” the spokesman added.

On the potential appointment of a UN envoy for the Cyprus issue, Letymbiotis said there was no update beyond previous statements that an announcement is expected within days.

Regarding the scheduled meeting on Monday between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, Letymbiotis said the two had already agreed – under UN auspices – to discuss six thematic areas, with a technical committee on youth already established.

“The aim at Monday’s meeting is to make progress and agree on the other five thematic units,” he added.

He added that Christodoulides would attend “with a constructive approach, concrete proposals, and a sincere desire to make progress.”

Letymbiotis also referred to Cyprus’ assistance to Israel in combatting fires.

“The Republic of Cyprus was the first state to respond to the call of neighbouring Israel. We were in constant communication from the very beginning and responded within the framework of our own capabilities,” he said.

The spokesman added that apart from the helicopter, which has already left, “we have also offered ground forces in the event that they would strengthen firefighting efforts.”

“Israel has not needed them so far. We are at Israel’s disposal, as of course also for the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism,” he said.