New york: Greece rejected as unsubstantial references by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Cyprus, during a UN Security Council briefing. In a statement, Greece pointed out, among other things, ‘that OIC resolutions must be fully aligned with international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council resolutions, particularly regarding issues such as the Cyprus question and non-interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign states.’
According to Cyprus News Agency, regarding the Cyprus issue, Deputy Permanent Representative Ioannis Stamatekos stressed the need for strict compliance with Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550. ‘The OIC has most regrettably attributed observer status to the secessionist entity on the island since 2004; this despite the fact that the Security Council, with its Resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984) clearly condemned its unilateral declaration of independence, demanding it be withdrawn,’ Stamatekos said.
He added that the same resolutions ‘called upon all states to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and not to recognize the illegal entity, or assist it in any way.’ Greece reaffirmed its support for enhanced cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations in accordance with Chapter VIII of the UN Charter, and expressed support for constructive UN-OIC engagement aimed at fulfilling the principles and purposes of the United Nations.
Stamatekos expressed Greece’s serious concern and opposition to the content of certain resolutions adopted by the OIC, as well as elements in its declarations that contravene international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council resolutions, stressing that some of these resolutions and declarations flagrantly violate international law. ‘OIC resolutions and elements in its Declarations outright contravene international law. In fact, the OIC’s latest Ministerial Summit Joint Declaration speaks of a so-called ‘Turkish Muslim Minority of Western Thrace’, as well as a ‘Turkish Muslim Population in the Dodecanese’. Any such reference is factually incorrect as the international Treaty of Lausanne established the status of the Muslim Minority in Thrace, Greece, on the basis of religion,’ he further noted.
He said also that ‘the small population of Greek citizens of Muslim faith residing in the islands of Rhodes and Kos in the Dodecanese enjoy the same rights as any other Greek citizen, with their religious rights and freedoms fully protected’. Greece also expressed regret that past efforts to raise these concerns with OIC Secretariat have not borne fruit.
‘Adopting positions that blatantly contravene international law does little to advance the cooperation with the UN, or contribute to the work of the Security Council. Greece, an elected member of this Council, will never shy away from raising these issues with the OIC and its Member States, as a true believer in the merits of forging honest relationships,’ Stamatekos concluded.
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. A second informal meeting on Cyprus in broader format was held in New York, on July 16-17, 2025. Another meeting is anticipated later this year.