Christofias: Turkey has no right to claim legitimacy over Cyprus

Turkey’s claims that it can fly over Cyprus’ sovereign air space is an utter deceit, absolutely illegal and a violation of international conventions and international law, President Demetris Christofias stressed here today.

Invited to comment on statements by a representative of the Turkish Foreign Ministry that Turkey has legitimate rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, which are safeguarded by the UN, President Christofias replied: “I have seen no Security Council resolution which establishes legitimate rights for Turkey that are related to the occupation of 37 percent of Cypriot territory and the violation of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus”.

Speaking to reporters before departing for Brussels to attend the European Council, President Christofias further questioned the existence of UN decision that justifies the occupation and presence of 40,000 Turkish troops, the ejection of one third of Greek Cypriots from their homes and properties, the transfer of one third of Turkish Cypriots to the northern Turkish occupied areas and the exploitation of property.

“All these are condemned in numerous UN Security Council resolutions and many other international and regional organisations”, he pointed out.

President Christofias acknowledged that Turkey has legitimate rights in Eastern Mediterranean, adding however that Turkey has not even ratified those international conventions which define how each state can claim its legitimate rights, referring to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982. “Turkey has neither accepted it nor ratified it”, he added.

For this reason, said the President, “it is deceitful for them to say that Turkish warplanes have a legitimate right to fly over the Republic of Cyprus territory. It is purely illegal, a violation of international conventions, international law and surely a violation of the air and sea territory of the Republic of Cyprus”, he concluded.