The recent article by the Cyprus Mail, titled "Cyprus Reports Turkey to UN for Over 2,000 Violations", represents another attempt by the Greek Cypriot administration to distort facts and promote a misleading narrative about the situation in Cyprus.

It is essential to challenge this misrepresentation with a truthful perspective that acknowledges the legitimate concerns and rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Türkiye. 

A History of Injustice: Ignoring the Turkish Cypriot Experience

The Greek Cypriot administration's recent appeal to the United Nations, alleging "over 2,000 violations" by Türkiye, continues its long-standing strategy of portraying itself as the sole victim of the Cyprus conflict. However, this narrative conveniently ignores the systematic exclusion and discrimination faced by Turkish Cypriots for decades. The Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960 as a partnership state between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, but this partnership was dismantled in 1963 when the Greek Cypriot side unilaterally took over the government, effectively excluding Turkish Cypriots from governance and denying them their rightful place as equal partners on the island.

For over half a century, the Greek Cypriot leadership has used its control of the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus to undermine and isolate the Turkish Cypriots politically, economically, and socially. Their latest appeal to the UN is another chapter in a campaign to deflect from their refusal to genuinely engage in meaningful negotiations for a just and lasting solution.

UN Resolutions and Selective Interpretation: A Closer Look at Resolution 550 (1984)

The Cyprus Mail article references the UN Security Council Presidential Statement (S/PRST/2021/13), which calls for the Turkish side to “cease and reverse its violations of the status quo.” Yet, this statement must be understood in the context of broader UN resolutions and the actual conditions on the ground.

UN Security Council Resolution 550 (1984) addresses the situation in Maraş (Varosha), calling for the area to be transferred to UN administration and considering any attempts to settle any part of Maraş (Varosha) by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible. The Greek Cypriot side routinely cites this resolution to argue against actions by the Turkish Cypriot authorities and Türkiye. However, it is crucial to recognize that this resolution reflects a snapshot of the past, which does not adequately consider the evolving realities or the need for a sensible fair approach to resolving the Cyprus issue.

Ignoring the True Causes: The Greek Cypriot Role in the Crisis

The Cyprus Mail article also overlooks the root causes of the current division in Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot leadership often calls for a return to a "status quo," but this so-called "status quo" ignores the traumatic history experienced by Turkish Cypriots. In 1974, Türkiye intervened in Cyprus under its rights as a guarantor power following a coup by Greek nationalists aimed at enosis (union with Greece). This coup, backed by the Greek military junta, aimed to annex Cyprus to Greece, an act that threatened the very survival of the Turkish Cypriot community.

The intervention by Türkiye was not an act of aggression, as the Greek Cypriot narrative claims, but a legitimate response to protect Turkish Cypriots from violence and to prevent the island's forced annexation. The 1960 Treaty of Guarantee gave Türkiye the right to intervene to restore constitutional order, and it is this intervention that ensured the survival of the Turkish Cypriot people as an equal community on the island.

The Greek Cypriot Administration’s Selective Use of International Law

While the Greek Cypriot side continues to cite UN resolutions like Resolution 550, they fail to engage in any meaningful dialogue to find a mutually acceptable solution for Maraş (Varosha). For decades, the Greek Cypriot administration has used the issue of Maraş (Varosha) as a political tool, refusing to negotiate in good faith or explore solutions that acknowledge the rights of Turkish Cypriots.

The TRNC has made efforts to encourage a fair resolution, proposing to open Maraş (Varosha) under conditions that would allow the original inhabitants to reclaim their properties while also fostering new economic activities. These efforts have been dismissed and misrepresented by the Greek Cypriot administration, which instead focuses on its narrow interpretation of international law to perpetuate the status quo. The Greek Cypriot leadership continues to reject dialogue and cooperation, despite the TRNC's repeated calls for a constructive approach to address these longstanding issues.

Hypocrisy in Action: The Greek Cypriot Militarization of Cyprus

The Cyprus Mail article accuses Türkiye of "violations," but it fails to mention the Greek Cypriot administration's own recent military activities, which have escalated tensions on the island. The Greek Cypriot administration has engaged in several military exercises with foreign powers, including the United States, such as the "Agapinor 2024" exercises. These exercises involved live-fire drills and the deployment of advanced military hardware, actions that have been viewed as provocative by Turkish Cypriots and Türkiye.

Moreover, the Greek Cypriot side has engaged in activities within the UN Buffer Zone that contradict its claims of seeking peace. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has repeatedly reminded all parties to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions or alter the status quo in the buffer zone. Any claims of increased militarization must be scrutinized and documented by independent international observers, but there is growing concern among Turkish Cypriots that the Greek Cypriot side is using military maneuvers as a means to apply pressure and avoid genuine dialogue.

The Maritime Disputes: A One-Sided Narrative

The Cyprus Mail also fails to provide a balanced view on the maritime disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Greek Cypriot administration continues to assert exclusive rights over maritime zones that are also claimed by Türkiye and the TRNC. Despite calls for dialogue from the Turkish Cypriot side, the Greek Cypriot administration has pushed ahead with unilateral exploration activities, increasing tensions in the region.

Dr. Ayla Gürel of the PRIO Cyprus Centre notes, "Unilateral actions by either side in disputed waters only serve to escalate tensions and undermine the potential for cooperative development of the region’s resources”. Yet, the Greek Cypriot side continues to disregard these calls for negotiation, further fueling instability in the region.

The Need for a Fair and Just Resolution

The path to peace in Cyprus is not through one-sided accusations and selective interpretations of international law, but through genuine dialogue that respects the rights and aspirations of both communities. The Turkish Cypriot side has consistently called for an equitable solution that recognizes the realities on the ground and acknowledges the sovereignty and rights of the TRNC.

It is time for the Greek Cypriot administration to move beyond its narrow agenda and engage in meaningful negotiations. The lifting of embargoes and recognition of the Turkish Cypriots' rights as equal partners on the island is the only path forward. Without such steps, the cycle of mistrust and hostility will continue, preventing a peaceful and prosperous future for all Cypriots.

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References:

1. Cyprus Mail, "Cyprus Reports Turkey to UN for Over 2,000 Violations,".
2. UN Security Council Resolution 550 (1984)
3. UN Security Council Presidential Statement S/PRST/2021/13
4. UNFICYP statements on buffer zone violations
5. Ayla Gürel, PRIO Cyprus Centre, on Eastern Mediterranean disputes
6. TRNC Public Information Office, Ersin Tatar's statement on Varosha