site.btaEU: Hope for Unified Cyprus Still Exists

Too much time has been lost without a solution to the Cyprus problem, the EU's diplomatic service said on Friday night as it marked 50 years since the Turkish invasion of the Mediterranean island, the Cyprus Mail reported.

Today, the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, remains divided, which has far-reaching implications first and foremost for the people of Cyprus, a statement by the European External Action Service said.

"A forced division can never be a solution. Hope for a better future, a unified Cyprus, still exists."

The EU's diplomatic service added that in the context of the UN-led efforts, "a genuine commitment is urgently needed by all concerned." This includes the two Cypriot communities, "as well as in particular Turkey, for a peaceful settlement on the basis of relevant UN Security Council resolutions."

Against the background of broad geopolitical shifts and crises, "we need to join forces to reach a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the UN framework, for all people of Cyprus and for the stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean," the statement concluded.

In 1974, Cypriot Greek nationalists and the then dictatorial regime in Athens tried to unite Cyprus and Greece, which caused a military coup on the island. To prevent the unification with Greece, Turkiye intervened with military forces. The island has been divided ever since.

Greece describes the events of half a century ago as an invasion of the island by Turkish forces, while Turkiye refers to them as Cyprus Peace Operation. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was proclaimed in the northern part of the island in 1983. To this day, it is recognized only by Turkiye. In 2004, the whole island was admitted as a state into the European Union. The whole island has de jure been a member of the EU since then, but EU law applies only in the south, which means that the island is de facto divided.