Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias following his meeting with Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Christodoulides (Nicosia, 21.07. 2021)

Dear Nikos,

My presence here today symbolizes the commitment of the Greek Government, the Mitsotakis Government, to stand by the side of the Cypriot government and the Cypriot people; and also to stand by the side of International Legality.

This is what I will emphasize in the meeting I will have later with the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, as well as with the Mayor and the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Famagusta.

Attila has moved again. Yesterday’s announcements by the Turkish side are an attempt to create new fait accomplis; to bury once and for all the prospect of the reunification of Cyprus.

We strongly condemn the unlawful Turkish actions. They violate in the most appalling way the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. They violate International law. They blatantly disregard the United Nations.

From our part, we will steadily continue the joint efforts for a settlement of the Cyprus issue in the established context of international legality.

Illegality does not constitute Law. Violation – we clearly say this to the Turkish side – cannot create rights.

I have already emphasized this to my interlocutors yesterday and today, to my Israeli and French counterparts, and to the US Under Secretary of State.

Turkey has committed another grave unlawful action in Varosha. This unlawful action comes on top of the already rich Turkish collection of such actions. It confirms the Turkish intentions which are none other than the extension of the occupation in Cyprus; the consolidation of a neo-Ottoman hegemony in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey’s unlawful and provocative actions do not have a negative impact only here in Cyprus. They force another major rift in regional peace and stability.

The illegal military bases in the occupied area are a particularly worrying development.
And we state this clearly. There is no room for improvement in relations between Greece and Turkey. There is no room for improvement in relations between the European Union and Turkey as long as Turkey continues to act unlawfully in Cyprus.

After all, these are not just our own arguments. These are contained in the conclusions of the European Council.

Our goal today, together with my friend Nikos, is to coordinate our next steps in the European Union, in the UN, in all international contexts and fora.

Turkish aggression cannot go unanswered. As always, our answer will be based on International Law and the Values which guide us.

Thank you so much.