A military parade was held in occupied Nicosia on Monday as part of events marking the 52nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, accompanied by violations of the Republic's airspace by Turkish fighter jets and the anchoring of Turkish navy vessels off Kyrenia.
Airspace violations over Pente Mili
As reported by State Radio, a squadron of Turkish fighter aircraft flew over the so-called "victory monument" in the Pente Mili area of Kyrenia, the site of the Turkish landing in 1974. According to the same information, the aircraft violated the airspace of the Republic of Cyprus.
At the same time, vessels of the Turkish navy have anchored off Kyrenia.
The Turkish government was represented at the events by the country's Vice President, Cevdet Yilmaz.
Foreign Ministry condemns visit
On Monday afternoon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as the illegal visit of the Turkish Vice President to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, taking place on the occasion of the sombre anniversary of the invasion.
According to the Ministry's announcement, the renewed presence of the Turkish Vice President in the occupied areas underlines and constitutes yet another admission of responsibility for the continuing Turkish occupation and the violations, over 52 years, of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. These violations, the Ministry said, "have been consistently and repeatedly condemned by the relevant Resolutions of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and by the international community, including the European Union (EU)".
Commitment to reunification
"We remain committed to the ultimate goal of the liberation and reunification of Cyprus, on the basis of the agreed United Nations framework, through a viable solution required by international law that will safeguard the rights and prosperity of all Cypriots," the announcement concludes.
With information from RIK Radio and CNA
