Cyprus protests to UN new Turkish violations

Cyprus has protested to the UN new violations of its national airspace by Turkey.

An official press release issued on Wednesday said that Cyprus’ Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Minas Hadzimichael, in a letter dated 6th February 2009 to the UN Secretary General, protested over new violations of international air traffic regulations and Cyprus’ national airspace by Turkey that took place from 2 December 2008 until 28 January 2009.

In his letter, the Permanent Representative expresses the Cyprus government’s strong protest and calls for the immediate ending to the violations.

He stresses that the Turkish policy of non-complying with international rules and regulations governing international air traffic, jeopardizes aviation safety and prolongs the lack of safety and tension on the island.

In addition, in his letter Hadzimichael notes that the continued provocations on the part of Turkey aim at consolidating the de facto division of Cyprus, further strengthen the illegal secessionist entity in the occupied areas and seriously undermine all efforts towards reunification and reconciliation.

The Cypriot Permanent Representative notes that Turkish government should listen to the appeals of the international community and comply with the UN charter, respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, thus contributing to the creation of the necessary conditions to achieve a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus issue.

The letter was circulated as a UN document yesterday, Tuesday, 17 February 2009.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third. Turkey has refused to implement numerous UN resolutions calling for the immediate withdrawal of its occupation troops from Cyprus.