Strasbourg: 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.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the resolution was approved by 575 votes in favour, 33 against and 43 abstentions, with all Cypriot MEPs voting in favour. Greek MEP Eleonora Meleti served as the rapporteur for the file. The European Parliament condemns the military invasion by the Republic of Turkey and the ongoing illegal occupation of Cyprus, labeling it a serious violation of international law and an obstacle to peace, stability, and EU-Turkey relations.
The resolution condemns the impact of the invasion on the women and girls of Cyprus, highlighting conflict-related sexual violence, sexual exploitation, forced displacement, family separation, and other violations of humanitarian and human rights laws. It stresses Turkey's ongoing responsibility under international law for violations committed during and after the invasion, emphasizing the obligation to provide full reparation to victims.
The European Parliament calls for the resumption of negotiations for Cyprus's reunification under the UN Secretary-General's auspices, picking up from where they were interrupted in Crans-Montana in 2017. The parliament reaffirms that the solution must be just, comprehensive, viable, and democratic, within the UN framework and the EU acquis, based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality.
The resolution also urges Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus and refrain from any unilateral actions that might solidify the occupation or alter the demographic balance. It recognizes the ongoing impact of the invasion on Cypriot women and girls, acknowledging their courage and contributions to resistance and peacebuilding.
The European Parliament supports the initiative to erect a monument in Nicosia for women victims of sexual violence, serving as a place of collective memory and recognition. Furthermore, the parliament calls for increased financial support for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus to ensure the exhumation, identification, and return of remains to families, while noting that financial assistance alone is insufficient due to limited cooperation and access issues from Turkey and the northern secessionist entity.
Cyprus has remained divided since the 1974 invasion, with successive UN-led peace talks failing to produce results due to Turkish intransigence. The last negotiation round in 2017 ended without conclusion. As the term of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres approaches its end, Mara Angela Holgun, his Personal Envoy on Cyprus, has been tasked with engaging the parties for a potential new meeting.