The government of the Republic of Cyprus “condemns the illegal visit of the Turkish prime minister Ahmed Davutoglu to the Turkish occupied north of the island and will make representations to the UN, the EU and other international organisations”.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening as President Nicos Anastasiades is attending a dinner with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in the presence of the Secretary General`s new Special Adviser, the government points out that if Turkey really wants a solution to the Cyprus issue, it should abandon its unacceptable positions.
Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides wondered what is the real message which Turkey wishes to convey to the international community, taking into account that Davutoglu`s illegal visit is taking place on the same day that Ban Ki-moon`s special adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide invited the leaders of the island's two communities, engaged in peace talks, to dinner.
“These questions become more valid if one takes into account that the newly elected President of Turkey decided to pay an illegal visit to Cyprus, just a few days before the first scheduled visit to Cyprus by the SG`s new Special Adviser”, he added.
Tayip Erdogan paid an illegal visit to the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus on 1 September after being elected President of Turkey.
Christodoulides pointed out that “if Davutoglu and Turkey really want a solution to the Cyprus issue, they should abandon their unacceptable positions, which are internationally condemned, including their demand for recognition of the illegal regime in the occupied areas”.
The Cypriot Spokesman said there is a lot that Turkey can do if it really wants a solution to the Cyprus issue, adding “that if Turkey continues its intransigent tactics, it will always run contrary to international law”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Dervis Eroglu have been engaged in UN-led negotiations since February this year, with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.
