Nicosia: Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has expressed his hopes that the issue of missing persons, along with excavations in Turkish military areas, will be a focal point in an upcoming meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman in late July. He also announced an impending Memorandum of Understanding between the Defence Ministries of Greece and Cyprus concerning missing persons.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides made these remarks during an event in Kornos, Larnaca district, commemorating the missing persons from the 1974 Turkish invasion. Addressing the relatives of those missing, he acknowledged the profound emotional impact of the anniversary of the invasion and sought forgiveness for the state's past oversights.
The President commended the efforts of the committees of relatives from both Cyprus and Greece, highlighting the significant work they undertake daily. He specifically addressed Maria Kalbourtzi, head of the Greek Committee, noting the progress on the Memorandum of Understanding, which is set to be signed by the Defence Ministers of both countries.
Highlighting the current status, President Christodoulides reported that out of 1,619 Greek Cypriot missing persons, only 764 have been identified, leaving 746 still unaccounted for. Similarly, out of 81 Greek missing persons in Cyprus, only 19 have been identified. He emphasized the need to intensify excavations, particularly in areas under Turkish military control.
Christodoulides reiterated his commitment to addressing the missing persons issue in meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader and expressed hope for a positive outcome in the upcoming meeting with the UN Secretary General. He also urged organizations of relatives to engage with the EU's appointed representative for the Cyprus issue to seek greater involvement from the union.
The President criticized the Turkish Cypriot side for citing high excavation costs as an excuse, particularly in areas where EU-funded projects are underway, and reiterated that the fate of all missing persons remains a top government priority.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following the Turkish invasion, which led to the occupation of 37% of its territory. The fate of many individuals remains unresolved, despite the establishment of a Committee on Missing Persons to address the issue.
Statistical data from the CMP website as of June 30, 2026, indicates that out of 2,002 missing persons, 1,719 have been exhumed, and 1,075 identified. Among the 1,510 Greek Cypriot missing persons, 764 have been identified, while 746 remain missing. Out of 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons, 311 have been identified, with 181 still unaccounted for.