President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides has called upon the President of Turkey to join a path of responsibility, end the occupation of Cyprus through negotiations for a comprehensive settlement that will reunify Cyprus in a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality.
Addressing the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the President said that from this very podium yesterday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan "preached the world on peace and accountability. He pointed the finger to others, for crimes Turkey itself commits every single day".
"That is selective sensitivity and hypocrisy of the highest form. Illegality cannot yield legality. Illegality stemming from use of force cannot be recognised. No matter who the perpetrator is, no matter who the victim is" he said.
Cyprus, the President added, has proven time and again that it is a Reliable, Responsible actor. A country that not only “Talks the Talk” but also “Walks the Walk” of Responsibility.
"And my call today to Mr. Erdogan is to join that path of Responsibility: To end the occupation, through negotiations for a comprehensive settlement that will reunify Cyprus in a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality. Always in line with UN Security Council Resolutions, EU law values and principles. This is the only way" he underlined.
Therefore, the President continued, "let me repeat: the call for Responsibility is the loudest for my own country. I am ready for this moment of Responsibility, ready to deliver on the call of history to reunify Cyprus, to reunify my people, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins".
War in Gaza must end
In his speech, the President said that the war in Gaza must end and that we must not lose sight of the path for peace. For a two-state solution in line with UN Security Council Resolutions.
Referring to the war in Ukraine, he said that "We must collectively act against aggressors no matter who they are. In 2022 Russia invaded a sovereign nation, Ukraine, violating the UN Charter. In 1974, Turkey invaded a sovereign nation, Cyprus, violating the UN Charter. The violation is equal. The suffering. The invasion and occupation".
The President noted that the world is changing and we must urgently evolve to be fit to effectively address the immense, complex challenges we are faced with.
"This is our Moment of Responsibility. Cyprus, walks this path of Responsibility. And it stands ready to step up further. To assume even more its role as an enabler of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Greater Middle East" he pointed out.
Cyprus, he noted, is determined to transform our geography in a complex region into a blessing.
"By building on our long-standing historical ties with our neighbours, that are anchored on trust, mutual respect, cooperation".
A hub of stability and cooperation
Moreover, he referred to concrete initiatives that build on Cyprus’ role as a hub of stability and cooperation in a challenging part of the world. He said that following the barbaric Hamas terrorist attack of October 7th, and the subsequent war that has led to a humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, Cyprus assumed, yet again, its moral responsibility to its region.
We did so, he added, through the development of the Amalthea maritime corridor for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza and noted that the route was reactivated as recently as this past week.
"We worked with like-minded partners - the United Arab Emirates, the United States, the European Union, the UK and others. And we delivered" he went on to say.
Furthermore, the President said that Cyprus stands ready to assume its regional Responsibility also in the context of bringing an end to the war in Gaza, and given our proximity, to play a role in its reconstruction.
"This war, must end. A first necessary step is the immediate ceasefire in Gaza and I hope that President Trump’s initiative has a positive outcome. At the same time, the humanitarian catastrophe must be alleviated. This means, unhindered flow of aid in Gaza. The displacement must also end. International humanitarian law must be respected. We call with the same fervour for the immediate release of all hostages" President Christodoulides said.
He continued by saying that as unreachable as it may seem at this moment, we must not lose sight of the path for peace. For a two-state solution in line with UN Security Council Resolutions.
"We have a Responsibility to continue our work for a future in which Israel and Palestine live side by side in conditions of lasting security and peace. And, we must be clear and unequivocal that Hamas, a terrorist organization, has no place in such a future" he underlined.
Cyprus EU Presidency
He also referred to the Cyprus EU Presidency in the first half of 2026 saying that Europe’s heart will beat for 6 months from the Union’s last divided member state, under occupation since the 1974 Turkish invasion.
The Presidency, he said, will focus also on the Eastern Mediterranean and the Greater Middle East., "supporting and investing in strategic partners that are pillars of stability in the region such as Jordan and Egypt, working together with our Lebanese partners to ensure long lasting stability in the country, working to ensure stability in Syria, inclusivity, respect to religious freedoms and protection of minorities, assuming more Responsibility as a Union for our security, and that of our neighborhood".
Cyprus, he added, will assume another role of Responsibility - for the first time - as a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2025-2027.
Reference to Ukraine
Referring to Ukraine, he said that the Russian aggression against Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter must serve as a wake-up call. "We must collectively act against aggressors no matter who they are. In 2022 Russia invaded a sovereign nation, Ukraine, violating the UN Charter. In 1974, Turkey invaded a sovereign nation, Cyprus, violating the UN Charter. The violation is equal. The suffering. The invasion and occupation.
"Cyprus is under occupation by Turkey for 51 years. Tens of thousands displaced. Women raped. Destruction of cultural and religious heritage. The fenced town of Varosha, held hostage by Turkey, awaiting for its lawful inhabitants to return, as the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions have prescribed for Turkey to allow. A policy of illegal settlements to change the demographic character of the country. Families waiting for the fate of their loved ones for decades. As a young boy in those early years after the invasion, the images of mothers and children weeping for their loved ones have been engraved in my memory" the President stressed.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
A second informal meeting on Cyprus in broader format was held in New York, on July 16-17, 2025, following a first one in Geneva in March. Another meeting is anticipated later this year, to follow up on initiatives, agreed by the parties, which the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said they demonstrate a commitment to continuing a dialogue on the way forward. Guterres also announced that he would meet jointly with Cyprus leaders during the General Assembly high-level week, in September.
The two sides in Cyprus continue discussions on outstanding issues, including the opening of crossing points and a solar energy installation in the buffer zone. They also agreed to cooperate on a number of issues, including the exchange of cultural artifacts, while Maria Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, will continue her efforts.
The European Commission designated Johannes Hahn, a former European Commissioner, as Special Envoy for Cyprus to contribute to the settlement process, in close cooperation with Holguín.
(Sources: CNA, PIO)
