Nicosia: Representatives of the Turkish-occupied municipalities of the Kyrenia district have handed over a resolution to the President of the House of Representatives, condemning the illegal Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation.
According to Cyprus News Agency, House President Annita Demetriou received representatives from the occupied municipalities of Kyrenia, Lapithos, and Karavas, along with the Union of Communities of Kyrenia District, the Women’s Organisation of the Kyrenia District, and the refugee associations “Lapithos” and “Karavas”. During the meeting, the Mayor of Kyrenia, Iosif Violaris, presented a resolution condemning the ongoing occupation, which was adopted during an anti-occupation event at the Makedonitissa Tomb memorial in Nicosia. This event marked the fifty-first anniversary of the forcible displacement of Kyrenia district residents.
The Mayor emphasized the importance of respecting the human rights of the displaced, particularly the right of refugees to return to their homeland. In response, the President of the Parliament assured that the resolution would be communicated to all members of Parliament. Demetriou also condemned the escalating Turkish provocations and highlighted Turkey’s refusal to cooperate in resolving the issue of missing persons.
The resolution states, “We, the legitimate residents of the city and the Kyrenia district, condemn the Turkish invasion of 1974, which resulted in the occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus and our entire district, thousands of dead and missing people, and our violent displacement from our homes and properties.” It further notes, “51 years later, the occupation continues and we are still refugees and our human rights are being violated. At the same time, Turkey’s behavior remains the same, the Cyprus problem remains unresolved, and the fate of our missing people has not been determined.”
The resolution calls on the international community, especially the EU and major powers, to exert pressure on Turkey to withdraw its occupying troops and change its stance. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Despite repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks, a resolution remains elusive due to Turkish intransigence. The latest negotiations, held in July 2017 at Crans-Montana, ended without a conclusion.
In July 2025, a second informal meeting in a broader format took place in New York, with another meeting anticipated later this year. UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres announced plans to meet with Cyprus leaders during the General Assembly high-level week, demonstrating a commitment to continuing dialogue. Discussions continue on issues such as opening crossing points and a solar energy installation in the buffer zone. Cooperation on cultural artifacts exchange has been agreed upon, and Maria Angela Holgun, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, will continue her efforts.
The European Commission has designated Johannes Hahn as Special Envoy for Cyprus to aid the settlement process, working closely with Holgun.