The usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in the Turkish occupied territories will end with the settlement of the Cyprus problem, Interior Minister, Constantinos Ioannou, said on Saturday, in his address at the 15th Kyrenia Symposium on the issue of property and political implications, which was delivered on his behalf by the permanent secretary of his Ministry, Dr Elikkos Elia.
Noting that, after more than 50 years, the prosecuting authorities of the Republic of Cyprus were working intensively to bring to justice those who usurp the properties of the displaced Greek Cypriots, he said that these measures cannot eliminate this phenomenon, which, as he noted, will end with the settlement of the Cyprus problem. “To this end, the President of the Republic is working intensively to achieve the goal of reunifying our homeland”, he added.
This year’s Symposium, he said, touches on “an extremely important, but also complex aspect of the Cyprus problem, the property issue.”
“It would not be an exaggeration to state that the usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in our occupied territories, which is constantly being intensified by Turkey, constitutes a repeated crime that causes pain, loss and anger,” he said. “Our primary concern and pursuit, is the creation of those conditions that will ensure the protection of human rights in our country, including the right to protection of the properties of our displaced persons,” he added. In this context, he said, the current government, “for the first time in more than 50 years, is turning the aforementioned political will into action”. “Our law enforcement authorities, to the extent possible and amidst the adversities created by the ongoing occupation, are working intensively to bring to justice those who usurp the properties of our displaced persons”, he said.
However, he added, these measures will not eliminate this phenomenon, noting that this would end with the resolution of the Cyprus problem, adding that the President of the Republic was “working intensively” to achieve the goal of reunification.
This effort is based on targeted and just arguments, and stems from the need, 50 years later, to reach, through dialogue and diplomacy, a functional and just solution, “a solution based on the UN resolutions and the principles of European and International Law,” he added.
He also said that the actions of the President of the Republic in the European and international community resulted in mobility on the Cyprus problem. “With firm, realistic and solid positions, we declare our readiness to come to the dialogue table even tomorrow”, he said. “We remain cautiously optimistic, pending the convening of a meeting under the UN Secretary-General, and we reiterate our political will and determination to liberate and reunite our homeland and to create for future generations conditions of real peace, security, stability, progress and prosperity,” he said.
The Minister said that “our struggle” will only end when the Cypriot people coexist in a peaceful and prosperous Cyprus.
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. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Also read: Interior Ministry: Land registry prepares new Cyprus map
Source: CNA/EAN/AGK/2024
