The crime of the usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied territories and of illegal settlement was highlighted by MEP Costas Mavridis (DIKO – S&D), in the debate entitled “51 years since the Turkish invasion of the Republic of Cyprus: condemnation of the ongoing Turkish occupation and support for the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive solution in accordance with international law, the decisions of the United Nations Security Council, the principles and the EU acquis”, in the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
In his speech, Mr. Mavridis stated:
"51 years since the barbaric Turkish invasion and the ongoing occupation, with thousands killed, executed in cold blood, hundreds of women brutally raped, from 12 to 70 years old, with missing persons whose bones we are still searching for... and those of us who escaped, became refugees as children. Unfortunately, however, the fundamental rights of European citizens of Cyprus are still blatantly violated by Turkey to this day."
Continuing, he stressed that "this discussion is taking place because the Cyprus problem is also a European problem, since the illegal occupation of European territory of one third of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey continues, highlighting two serious crimes taking place in occupied Cyprus:
a) The usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties through money laundering
and
b) illegal settlement, with the transfer of settlers and the army from Turkey and the creation of infrastructure.
As he stated, "the evidence of the occupation regime reveals that there is no Turkish Cypriot leader, but an entrenched figure of Turkey and the settlers. These are crimes according to the International Criminal Court that remain unpunished. And since they are crimes, there are also criminals."
Furthermore, Mr. K. Mavridis stated that: “As the European Parliament, we have repeatedly condemned the ongoing Turkish occupation and we call for the withdrawal of Turkish troops. But these are not enough. Measures are needed against the occupier, as in Ukraine, where we defended International Law because we believe in the principles of the European Union.”
Concluding, he underlined that "The European Union remains the only perspective for a proper solution that will guarantee the fundamental rights of all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus."
MEP Press Office
