In a letter dated June 30, 2025, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Nations, Ambassador Maria Michael, denounced to the international organization extensive aerial and maritime violations against Cyprus by Turkish forces during the period July - December 2024, citing a total of "989 violations in the airspace and 45 at sea", of which 264 were carried out by Turkish military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
As Ms. Michael pointed out, Turkey "also proceeded to illegally issue 5 NOTAMS and 12 NAVTEX" for the conduct of military exercises that violate Cypriot airspace.
"These actions constitute a violation of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus and, by extension, of the Charter of the United Nations," Ms. Michael underlined, noting that this behavior "undermines stability, peace and the prospects for a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the Security Council resolutions."
Ms. Michael also denounced Turkey's actions in the buffer zone and the closed area of Varosha, highlighting Ankara's "contempt for international law." She stressed that "the illegal transformation of the closed area continues unabated" despite the provisions of Resolution 550 (1985) and the clear appeals of the Security Council.
"The continuous upgrading of military infrastructure in the already heavily militarized occupied areas is only part of Turkey's ongoing aggressive behavior in Cyprus. Such actions reveal Ankara's intentions to perpetuate the occupation, seriously endangering not only the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, but also the stability of the entire troubled region," he pointed out.
He also stressed that Turkey "is promoting a two-state solution while diplomatic efforts are underway to restart talks."
"Unfortunately, this effort continues to be undermined by the Turkish side's insistence on positions that are outside the framework of the UN parameters for the solution of the Cyprus problem. At the same time, this unacceptable stance is increasingly manifested through provocative actions on the ground, but also through intensified efforts to upgrade the pseudo-state at the international level," he noted.
He added that "by adopting an as-is approach to Security Council resolutions, Turkey characterizes them as outdated when they do not serve its narrative, while calling on the international community to "face the reality on the ground", in an effort to legitimize the fait accompli of aggression."
Ms. Michael underlined that "the Republic of Cyprus remains committed to a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as provided for in the relevant Security Council resolutions, despite the obstacles posed to us by Turkey and its subordinate local administration."
In closing, he underlined that the Cypriot Government "is determined to make every possible effort, in cooperation with the Secretary General and his Personal Envoy, to create the conditions for the resumption of negotiations, with a view to the reunification of Cyprus and its people."
Source: KYPE
