Limassol: President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, stressed on Tuesday that the prosecution of usurpers of Greek Cypriot property in the occupied territories will not stop. The President was replying to questions by journalists in Limassol, before attending the annual General Assembly of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides was invited to comment on a statement made by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, who described the prosecution of usurpers as a “terrorist act” and threatened not to meet with the President if it continues. President Christodoulides firmly stated that the prosecutions will certainly not stop, regardless of Tatar’s statements.
He highlighted that the Turkish Cypriot leader’s refusal to meet shows a position of weakness. The President pointed out that their strategy led to significant diplomatic appointments, including Maria Angela Holguin as the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus and Johannes Hahn as the EU Envoy for Cyprus.
President Christodoulides mentioned the ongoing effort to create conditions for resuming negotiations, away from public attention. He discussed recent substantive talks with Holguin, proposing four different scenarios for negotiations, and emphasized their preparedness to continue these efforts.
When asked about concerns regarding the issue of usurpers being raised by Holguin, President Christodoulides noted that Tatar had already raised the issue with the UN Secretary-General in October, and emphasized that illegality cannot be justified.
The President reiterated his stance to Tatar, the UN Secretary-General, and leaders from other countries that judicial matters are independent and that illegal actions will be prosecuted. He dismissed the impact of Tatar’s statements on the issue, affirming respect for individual property rights.
The reminder of recent legal actions includes the sentencing of two Hungarian women to prison terms for promoting the sale of homes on Greek Cypriot land in the Turkish-occupied areas. Cyprus remains divided since 1974, and previous UN-led peace talks have not succeeded due to Turkish intransigence.
The UN Secretary-General announced plans for an informal meeting on Cyprus, with the aim to advance initiatives such as opening crossing points and creating a Technical Committee on Youth. Mara Angela Holgun Cu©llar and Johannes Hahn have been appointed to facilitate the settlement process and engage with the parties.