Nicosia: The Cyprus Government is investing in UN Secretary-General's visit to Cyprus, showcasing a constructive stance, Deputy Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou said on Sunday, pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side is seeking, more than anyone else, a viable and just Cyprus solution.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Antoniou made these remarks during an event in Strovolos, Nicosia, organized by the Turkish-occupied community council of Assia, at a monument for the community's fallen and missing persons. The event marked the commemorations for the victims of the 1974 coup and Turkish invasion. Antoniou emphasized the government's readiness and clear commitment to resuming substantive negotiations aimed at a sustainable solution. He acknowledged the long and challenging road ahead but stressed the importance of perseverance and commitment to the ultimate goal of liberation and reunification.
Antoniou reassured that the President of the Republic and the government are collectively striving to bring justice to those who sacrificed for freedom. Addressing the Assia community, he highlighted the severe impact of the Turkish invasion on the village, noting acts of violence, murder, abuse, and abductions that resulted in eighty-eight individuals from or residing in Assia becoming missing.
Antoniou noted that the remains of 69 individuals have been identified, with evidence of their brutal murders, while the fate of 19 others remains unknown. He recounted the particularly shocking incident involving the abduction and subsequent murder of 70 males from Assia and nearby villages, with some remains later found in wells after being moved from their original burial sites.
The Deputy Spokesperson stated that the President consistently raises this issue to persuade Turkey to cooperate and provide access to Turkish army archives for information. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. UN-led peace talks have repeatedly failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence, with the latest negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana ending inconclusively.
Following informal meetings in 2025 and a hiatus, deliberations are underway for a new broader format meeting, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' term nears its end. Mara Angela Holgun, Guterres' Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked with engaging the parties, while Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto serves as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.