Nicosia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus has rejected and condemned the assertions contained in the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey concerning the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 8 July.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Cypriot MFA noted in a press release that the European Parliament unequivocally condemned, once more, the military invasion by Turkey and the continued illegal occupation of part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus as a serious violation of international law and an obstacle to peace, stability and European Union-Trkiye relations.
The European Parliament further condemned, in line with core European Union values and principles, the violations of human rights stemming from the Turkish invasion, with specific reference to sexual violence against women and girls during and after the 1974 invasion, the press release added.
The Cypriot MFA stated that "Turkey is reminded that it continues to bear responsibility under international law for these violations and is called upon to acknowledge these deplorable acts, to assume responsibility and to provide full and effective reparations."
Fifty-two years after the Turkish invasion and ongoing military occupation, Turkey remains responsible to the international community, to the victims and survivors whose suffering and resilience deserve remembrance, justice and respect, the Ministry noted.
A resolution on the impact of the 1974 Turkish invasion on the women and girls of Cyprus, the crimes committed by Turkish forces and the consequences for gender equality was adopted on Wednesday by the plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
The resolution was approved by 575 votes in favour, 33 against and 43 abstentions. All Cypriot MEPs voted in favour, with Greek MEP Eleonora Meleti serving as the rapporteur for the file.
The European Parliament condemned in the strongest possible terms the military invasion by the Republic of Turkey and the ongoing illegal occupation of the Republic of Cyprus, which it described as a serious violation of international law and an obstacle to peace, stability, and EU-Turkey relations.
The resolution also condemned the consequences of the invasion for the women and girls of Cyprus, including conflict-related sexual violence, other forms of sexual exploitation, forced displacement, the separation of families, and other violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.
The European Parliament stressed that Turkey continues to bear responsibility under international law for violations committed during and after the 1974 invasion, including breaches of the Geneva Conventions. It stated that this responsibility entails an obligation to provide full reparation to the victims, including compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, and guarantees of non-repetition.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, ended inconclusively.