Cyprus remains divided since Turkey’s 1974 invasion, and while recent UN-hosted talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders showed progress in confidence-building measures, deep disagreements persist. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is set to appoint an envoy to revive negotiations, but major issues—including territorial disputes and governance—continue to block a path toward reunification.
Tag: Greek Cypriots
Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu has cast doubt on the upcoming UN-led meeting in Geneva, arguing it will lead nowhere in resolving the Cyprus dispute. While Greek Cypriots seek a federal solution, Turkish Cypriots insist on a two-state model—a stance rejected by the Republic of Cyprus. With both sides entrenched in their positions, the talks are expected to underscore the island’s deep divisions rather than produce a breakthrough.
On February 11, 1959, Greece and Turkey reached an agreement to address the Cyprus issue.…
Cyprus’ rival leaders will join a UN-led meeting next month to revive stalled peace talks. With deep divisions on the island’s future, the talks aim to bridge differences amid ongoing diplomatic challenges.
Turkey has reiterated its support for a two-state solution for Cyprus, following discussions with the leader of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which remains unrecognized by the international community. As the United Nations prepares for peace talks in March, Greek Cypriots continue to reject this proposal, while both sides face a complex path toward resolving the island’s division.
A new documentary, Memories of 1974, delves into the personal stories of Cypriot Canadians who were impacted by the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The film uses firsthand accounts to explore the trauma and resilience of a generation marked by displacement and loss.
Savvas Rotsidis (1935 – November 25, 1958), from the village of Mammari near Nicosia, was a dedicated member of EOKA, the Greek-Cypriot nationalist organization that fought for the liberation of Cyprus from British colonial rule and its eventual union with Greece. An accountant by profession, Rotsidis joined EOKA in 1955 and took part in numerous operations against British forces. Captured by the British in 1958, he was tortured but refused to betray his comrades. He was executed on November 25, 1958, becoming a martyr in the struggle for Cyprus’s independence.
An informal UN-hosted dinner in New York between Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar aimed to revive peace talks but ended with little progress. Both sides remained divided on key issues like sovereign equality and security guarantees, though future discussions with guarantor powers were agreed upon.
Ersin Tatar, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, has reiterated his conditions for the recognition of sovereign equality and equal international status ahead of an informal tripartite dinner with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Tatar emphasized that formal negotiations will not commence until the acquired rights of the Turkish Cypriots are accepted and clear, unambiguous conditions are met.
Northern Cyprus President Ersin Tatar urged Greek Cypriot leadership to recognize the realities of the island, emphasizing the need for a two-state solution that acknowledges “two peoples, two states, and two democracies.” Speaking from New York, Tatar criticized increasing oppression against Turkish Cypriots and called for renewed dialogue based on political equality and mutual respect.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides expressed his readiness to immediately resume reunification talks during a speech at the UN General Assembly, urging Turkey to join the effort. He emphasized the need for peace and cooperation while addressing the long-standing division of the island following a Turkish invasion decades ago.
Australian Senator and Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed gratitude to Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos during their meeting at the 79th United Nations General Assembly. They discussed the recent escalation in the Middle East and the crucial support for the evacuation of Australians from crisis zones. Wong highlighted the strong ties between Cyprus and Australia, based on shared values and people-to-people connections, while both leaders explored avenues for increased cooperation in addressing regional challenges.
The family of Solomos Solomou, who was killed by Turkish forces 28 years ago, continues to mourn his loss and express frustration over the lack of a memorial honoring his sacrifice. As they prepare to meet with local officials to discuss potential sites for a monument, Skevi Solomou reflects on the ongoing impact of her brother’s death, emphasizing that he remains a symbol of resistance for many Greek Cypriots.
The reported remarks by the Israeli minister have once again placed Greece and The republic of Cyprus at the forefront of the Middle East conflict, just months after a joint air exercise between Greek and Israeli forces south of Crete, which was seen as a “rehearsal” for Israel’s recent attack in Yemen.”
Northern Cyprus President Ersin Tatar has rejected Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides’ claim of a planned trilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Tatar dismissed the announcement, citing no official invitation from the UN and a lack of preparation.
Over 2,000 Melburnians rallied against Turkey’s continued occupation of Cyprus, calling for a unified island and condemning Ankara’s support for a separate Turkish Cypriot state.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the nation’s readiness to establish a naval base in Northern Cyprus, indicating a strategic move amid rising tensions with Greece over military expansion in the region. Erdogan ruled out resuming international negotiations on Cyprus, calling instead for direct talks with the Greek Cypriot side.
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived on Saturday in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to attend events marking the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation.
Fifty years after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Hellenes and Philhellenes worldwide are mobilizing, demanding action for a free and unified island while honoring the memory of those lost and still missing. From Melbourne to Sydney, communities are holding commemorative ceremonies, screenings, and protests, calling for justice and an end to the ongoing occupation.
The Greek military junta, then ruling Greece, toppled the democratically elected president of Cyprus, the late Archbishop Makarios III.