Cyprus committed to peace, but not at gunpoint

·

Cyprus is committed to reunification talks with estranged Turkish Cypriots but not at gunpoint, its president said on Thursday on a dispute which has deepened Greece-Turkey tensions and stymied European Union policy-making on Belarus.

A simmering decades-old conflict which split the east Mediterranean island’s Greek and Turkish Cypriots has come full circle with the issue featuring prominently in disputes between NATO allies Greece and Turkey, and now holding up EU plans to impose sanctions on Belarus.

EU member Cyprus – backed by Greece – is at odds with Turkey over maritime energy resources. It is blocking EU sanctions on Minsk until the bloc takes a tougher stance towards Ankara.

Turkish seismic research vessel Oruc Reis sails in the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, November 12, 2018. REUTERS/Yoruk Isik/File Photo

“For the (Cyprus peace) talks to resume with realistic prospects for success, it is imperative to create an environment which will be conducive for constructive and good faith negotiations… not under conditions of intimidation or threats,” Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said in an address to the U.N. General Assembly.

Turkey has dispatched survey vessels close to Cyprus in areas the Greek Cypriot government has licenced to multinationals to explore for oil and gas.

Cyprus was split after a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief coup engineered by the military then ruling Greece. The EU admitted the island into the bloc in 2004, represented internationally by its Greek Cypriot government which effectively controls only its south. Its north is a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and European Council President Charles Michel bump elbows after the news conference at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus September 16, 2020 [Yiannis Kourtoglou/Reuters]

The latest attempt at reunification between the two Cypriot sides collapsed in disarray in mid-2017. Each Cypriot side blames the other for the collapse.

Anastasiades, who heads Cyprus’s internationally-recognised government, repeated that his administration was willing to place any revenues from gas exploration into an escrow account for the Turkish Cypriot community.

Sourced By: Reuters

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Chris Christofi becomes highest fundraiser in Vinnies CEO Sleepout history

Melbourne entrepreneur and long-time Vinnies ambassador Chris Christofi has raised $400,000 in this year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

Over $17,000 raised for St John NT through Darwin GleNTi 2025 festival

More than $17,000 was raised for St John NT at this year’s Darwin GleNTi festival, thanks to the generosity of attendees.

Major changes for Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation as language program nears end

Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation held its Annual General Meeting at the AHEPA Hall on Sunday, June 22 from 4:30pm.

Derbies, underdogs, and big clashes set for Australia Cup Round of 32

The fixtures for the Hahn Australia Cup 2025 Round of 32 have been revealed following the tournament’s Official Draw on Wednesday night.

Estudiantina of Melbourne to perform soulful tribute to Greek music pioneers

Estudiantina of Melbourne return to Bird’s Basement on Friday, July 25 to present a heartfelt tribute to Rita Abadzi and Kostas Roukounas.

You May Also Like

Elafonisi beach in Greece dethrones Bora Bora as the world’s best shoreline for 2025

Elafonisi Beach on Crete’s southwestern coast has been named the Best Beach in the World for 2025—and it’s easy to see why.

Family of murder suspect Perry Kouroumblis claim he was tricked into Rome trip

According to his family, Easey St murder suspect Perry Kouroumblis, was enticed to Rome under the guise of a possible property deal.

United Cup 2025: Team Greece drawn with Spain and Kazakhstan in Perth

The world’s best tennis players are set for thrilling matches at the United Cup, the innovative mixed teams event in Perth and Sydney.