The issue of the missing persons, the problems faced by the enclaved in the occupied areas and the role of the Diaspora was discussed during a meeting Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou had on Monday with an AHI delegation led by Chair Nick Larigakis. The students are in the Cyprus on an educational trip.
A press release by the Presidency says that Photiou said the relatives of the missing persons are awaiting for answers about the fate of their beloved for almost half a century and their ordeal is huge as Turkey refuses to cooperate and open its archives. Ankara has certain obligations as they derive from ECHR decisions of 2001 and 2014, he added.
The Commissioner said that the UN, the US and the EU could contribute and play a role in exerting pressure on Turkey.
He also briefed the delegation on missing persons who are US citizens of Cyprus origin adding that the Congress has passed a law on the issue in 1994. He said that the international community needs to be more sensitive on the issue and urged it to show more support and solidarity the same way it rightly does with the Ukrainian war.
During the meeting the students were also informed on the problems faced by the enclaved in the Turkish occupied areas as a result of difficulties by the regime as well as about the destruction of the cultural and religious monuments by the occupied forces.
He praised the role of the Diaspora saying that it contributes to the enhancement of the ties between Cyprus and the US.
AHI Head Nick Larigakis reassured for the Institute’s support as regards the missing persons’ issue.
Source: Cyprus News Agency