NIKOS CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus, said that the Charter of the United Nations is still a promise, not a reality.  He condemned any breach of international peace and security effected through military action by any State, against the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of another State.  “Since the first day of the aggression against Ukraine, the people of Cyprus — a third of them still displaced as a result of foreign aggression against their own country — have displayed solidarity, with deeds, not just words, to the people of Ukraine,” he said, calling on the world to step back from the edge of a war that could reduce the United Nations to rubble.

“Just like in Ukraine, in Cyprus the UN Charter and international law continue to be violated.  In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, and since then, 49 years on, occupies European territory, and its people — Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots — continue to suffer the consequences of invasion, occupation, division,” he underscored, blaming the Turkish military forces for perpetrating further violations in Varosha, the fenced area of Famagusta.  Since 1974, Varosha has been held hostage and rendered a ghost town, contrary to Security Council resolutions, he emphasized, recalling recent attacks on UN peacekeepers by Turkish forces.  “Working towards peace in Cyprus is my absolute priority, and I want to take this opportunity to also send a personal message to [Türkiye President Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan.  There is not, and never will be, another basis for settlement of the Cyprus question to that dictated by the United Nations Security Council resolutions,” he stated, adding that Cyprus and Türkiye are neighbours, bound by geography.  “Mr. Erdoğan, let us work together guided by a vision of peace.  Let us build a brighter future for our countries, through dialogue and respect of international legality,” he said.

At a time when international laws are under attack, “UN Security Council resolutions must prevail”, he stressed, calling on the Organization to become a driving force for dialogue, by appointing, as a first step, an Envoy on the Cyprus problem, to explore and prepare the ground for the resumption of negotiations.

Turning to the Sustainable Development Goals, he said that they require universal efforts and transformative solutions as the climate emergency and climate change know no borders.  “Our own region, the Eastern Mediterranean, is especially vulnerable in this regard.  The raging wildfires and floods during this summer are a somber reminder of the fact that we are failing to act, at our own peril,” he said, reminding that Cyprus is actively participating in a new international climate change initiative. Speaking of the importance of human rights, he announced his country’s candidacy for the Human Rights Council for the period 2025-2027.  Cyprus “can become a hub of stability, peace and cooperation” and has “come together with its immediate neighbours — Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Greece — to build a solid network of cooperation that is underpinned by a vision to make the Mediterranean a sea of peace, cooperation and prosperity,” he underscored.