Athens deplores ‘sad anniversary’ in Cyprus

Greece on Wednesday condemned the unilateral declaration of independence by Turkish Cypriots in the occupied part of the Mediterranean island on November 15, 1983.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry in Athens said the “sad anniversary” should serve as a reminder to the international community that an independent state, which is member of the United Nations and the European Union, has been under military occupation for 34 years.

“This unilateral and illegal act constitutes a blatant violation of the fundamental rules and principles of international law, which, in combination with the ongoing military occupation and the unlawful settlement policy, is obstructing prospects for a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus issue,” the statement said.

“Furthermore, it perpetuates the violation of human rights of all Cypriots, as well as the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community which is subjected to Turkey’s suffocating manipulation,” it said.