Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos has issued a statement on the 51st anniversary of the illegal invasion of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey that occurred on July 20, 1974, and the subsequent and ongoing illegal occupation.
“Today, we observe a dark day – the 51st anniversary of the illegal invasion and occupation of the Republic of Cyprus, a U.S. strategic partner and EU member nation, by the Republic of Turkey, an unreliable NATO-member country under the Erdogan regime.
“This act remains an intolerable one. A gross violation of the rule of law, human rights, and democratic ideals. We pause to remember the innocent civilians who lost their lives and the thousands of individuals who went missing, including American citizens. The illegal invasion and occupation caused the displacement of 200,000 Greek Cypriot refugees, who, to this day, are unable to return to their homes.
“Moreover, Turkey’s restrictions upon religious freedom and destruction of Cyprus’ cultural and religious heritage in Turkish-occupied territories are well-documented by the U.S. Helsinki Commission, the Law Library of Congress, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, and several media publications.
“We appreciate the resumption of informal talks under UN auspices and confidence-building measures and hope they provide the foundation to resolve the more complex, difficult issues needed to achieve a just and viable settlement.
“Unfortunately, as long as Turkey maintains anachronistic and intransigent positions and pursues provocative and hostile acts that violate international law and threaten the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, a just and viable solution will remain elusive.”
“We restate our call for a reunified Cyprus with a single sovereignty, single international personality, and single citizenship; and with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded as described in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. We contend such a solution is in the best interest of all Cypriots and must emanate from Cypriots themselves without arbitrary timetables. A just and viable solution to the division of Cyprus will strengthen the Eastern Mediterranean, bringing peace and security to the region.
“AHEPA remains committed to doing all within its power to keep the Cyprus issue in the public eye until a just and viable solution that benefits all Cypriots is realized, so that one day we will no longer need to observe this solemn anniversary, but instead, celebrate the anniversary of a settlement.”
Thank you for your attention on this matter,
Savas C. Tsivicos
Supreme President