Nicosia: "The Cyprus issue remains a matter of illegal occupation. Nicosia cannot today remain the last divided capital in Europe," Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias stated in a social media post marking the 52nd anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. He emphasized the proximity of Cyprus to the Hellenic Armed Forces.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Dendias' remarks were a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives, the missing persons, and all who defended the island's freedom. He reiterated that the Cyprus issue persists as a problem of illegal occupation and expressed solidarity with the people of Cyprus, especially in light of recent developments.
The division of Cyprus dates back to 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island. Despite numerous rounds of UN-facilitated peace talks, a resolution has proved elusive, largely due to Turkish resistance. The most recent round of negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, ended without an agreement.
Following informal meetings in 2025 and a subsequent pause, there are now efforts to convene a new meeting in a broader format as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' term approaches its conclusion. Mara Angela Holgun, Guterres' Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is engaging with involved parties, while Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto serves as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding the previous EU special envoy, Johannes Hahn.