Nicosia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned on Monday the illegal visit by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz to the Turkish-occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, which is taking place on the occasion of the anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. According to Cyprus News Agency, this latest illegal visit by the Turkish Vice President to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, following his recent one only 10 days ago, underlines, and at the same time, comprises one more admittance of responsibility for the 52-year-long Turkish occupation and ongoing violations of the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, 'violations, which have been consistently and repeatedly through the relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions, and by the international community, including the European Union (EU).'
'We remain committed to the ultimate goal of the liberation and reunification of Cyprus, based on the agreed UN framework, through a viable solution, as dictated by international law - one that will guarantee the rights and well-being of all Cypriots,' the statement concludes.
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 due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.