Nicosia:Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has called upon Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot authorities to provide meaningful responses to requests for information held by the Turkish army and to allow access to potential burial sites. This appeal was made in a written statement on Cyprus Missing Persons Day.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth about every missing person, which he considers vital for justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace in Cyprus. The President marked the day as one of remembrance and national responsibility, honoring those who went missing due to the 1974 Turkish invasion and the 1963-1964 intercommunal violence.
The President expressed solidarity with the families who have endured decades of uncertainty, stressing that the issue of missing persons is primarily a humanitarian matter for the Republic of Cyprus. Efforts continue to establish the fate of every missing individual, with substantial support provided to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP). This includes institutional, technical, and financial assistance, as well as efforts to collect testimonies, accelerate exhumations and identifications, and keep families informed.
At the international level, President Christodoulides stated that the Government prioritizes the issue of missing persons in discussions with the Turkish Cypriot leadership, Turkey, the United Nations, the European Union, and the broader international community. He reiterated the need for full and unconditional access to Turkish army archives and other relevant services to disclose information about burial sites, movements of remains, and facilitate investigations and exhumations in restricted areas.
The President also highlighted the state's ongoing obligation to support the families of missing persons by addressing social and financial challenges through targeted policies. A recent decision by the Council of Ministers aims to provide care for the parents and spouses of missing persons and fallen servicemen without financial criteria.
President Christodoulides reiterated his call for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side to respond to information requests and provide access to burial sites. He affirmed that efforts will persist until answers are provided for all missing persons, acknowledging the debt owed to the families, especially to those who have passed away without closure.
Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion, with hundreds of people still unaccounted for. The CMP was established to exhume, identify, and return the remains of missing individuals to their families. As of September 30, the CMP data indicates that 1,721 out of 2,002 missing persons have been exhumed and 1,085 identified. Among Greek Cypriots, 765 have been identified, while 745 remain missing. For Turkish Cypriots, 320 have been identified, with 172 still missing.