Limassol: The President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, has made a strong appeal to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to leverage its influence on Turkey for sincere cooperation towards resolving the Cyprus issue. This appeal was made during a meeting of PACE’s Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities, and Institutional Affairs held in Limassol.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Demetriou expressed her gratitude to the Committee members for their principled stance and unwavering support for Cyprus. She emphasized the ongoing efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, in line with United Nations resolutions, international law, and European principles.
Demetriou stated, “Our fervent desire and steadfast goal is the reunification of our country, in conditions of lasting peace, security, and prosperity for all Cypriots.” She highlighted the importance of the Committee’s intervention, especially in a member state where fundamental human rights have been violated since the Turkish invasion 51 years ago.
The House President underscored the need for the international community to demonstrate the same sensitivity towards Cyprus as it has shown towards Ukraine, prioritizing international law and human rights without double standards. She highlighted ongoing violations, such as the displacement of Greek Cypriots and the unresolved plight of missing persons’ families, stressing that these are not subject to a statute of limitations.
Demetriou appealed to MPs and PACE to exert pressure on Turkey to resolve these issues and cited the case of five Greek Cypriot displaced persons who remain unable to return to free areas despite being acquitted by a “military court.”
She also addressed the Committee’s role in promoting ethics, transparency, and good governance, which are crucial for democracy and institutional credibility. Demetriou noted the significance of the Council of Europe’s control mechanisms and the recommendations of its bodies, which have enhanced institutional maturity and expertise in Cyprus.
Cyprus has remained divided since Turkey’s invasion in 1974, with numerous UN-led peace talks failing to achieve a resolution. The most recent negotiations, held in July 2017 at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, ended without agreement.