Brussels: The EU does not recognise the self-declared state in the northern part of Cyprus and its so-called judiciary, a Spokesperson of the European Commission has told CNA, adding that the Commission is concerned about the so-called prosecution of five Greek Cypriot citizens.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Spokesperson commented on the illegal detainment of five Greek Cypriots, all over the age of 60, who have been held since July 19 by the illegal regime in Cyprus’ occupied areas on suspicion of “espionage”. The Commission has been actively engaging with multiple actors on the ground and is in continuous contact with the United Nations.
The European Commission is concerned about the so-called prosecution of the five Greek Cypriot citizens in the northern part of Cyprus. The Commission has been actively engaging with multiple actors on the ground and is in continuous contact with the United Nations, the Spokesperson said.
The EU does not recognise the self-declared state in the northern part of Cyprus and its so-called judiciary, he added.
The Spokesperson further stressed that the EU recalls that disputes over property, including related criminal charges, are central to the current political tensions. Settling the issue of properties constitutes a key element of the comprehensive settlement process.
Finally, the EU remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded and the acquis.
The five Greek Cypriots were illegally arrested on several pretenses a month ago after crossing to the Turkish-occupied part of the island and have been held there since.
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.
An illegal breakaway entity declared independence unilaterally on November 15, 1983, in the areas under Turkish occupation, an action condemned by the UN Security Council and the international community as legally null and void.