The Republic of Cyprus has called on the EU to take urgent action for the release of five Cyprus citizens held in the occupied area by Turkish forces.
The appeal was made during Cyprus’ intervention at Monday’s informal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), with officials emphasising the need for immediate mobilisation of both EU institutions and member states to pressure Turkey for their release.
The informal FAC was convened by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and held via videoconference. Cyprus was represented by Foreign Ministry Director-General, Ambassador Theodora Konstantinidou.
According to a ministry statement, discussions focused on the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine- ahead of the upcoming meeting between the US and Russian presidents- as well as the latest developments in the Middle East.
During her intervention, Konstantinidou raised, outside the scheduled agenda, the “ongoing illegal detention of the five Greek Cypriot citizens by the occupation forces.” She stressed the urgency of securing their release through coordinated EU action, underlining that both institutions and member states must act without delay.
The case of the Cyprus citizens being held has renewed calls for Brussels to adopt a firmer stance towards Ankara in line with its human rights commitments.
Also read: Detention of Greek Cypriots extended by pseudo-state court
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