Cyprus Christofias waiting on Turkish Forces’ response on abolition of manuevres

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has said on Wednesday that he is waiting for the response of the Turkish occupation army to his proposal for the abolition of military manuevres.

Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Tuesday, Christofias revealed that during his meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York, he had proposed the latter to promote an agreement to abolish the annual military exercises held each autumn in and around Cyprus, namely the Nikiforos exercise, carried out by the Cyprus National Guard, and the Toros exercise, carried out by the Turkish military forces in Cyprus.

Asked if there has been any development as regards to his proposal, the President told reporters after the parade to mark the 48th anniversary of Cyprus’ Independence Day “we are waiting for the response of the occupation army”.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third.