Greece has reiterated its commitment to resolve the Cyprus problem based on UN Security Council resolutions, the Greek Foreign Ministry stated as the country marks 50 years since Turkey’s invasion of the country.
 
"We remain committed to the solution of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, a negotiating framework which has been accepted as the basis for talks by Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots since February 1977 and the 'high level agreement' between the then President of the Republic of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios and the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash," according to a statement published on Friday.

Greece is essentially calling for the implementation of UNSC resolutions drafted in the 1980s in an attempt to establish a reunited Cyprus.

Cyprus' establishment of two states and maintenance of the status quo, "are not acceptable solutions to the Cyprus issue, neither for Greece nor for Europe," the statement added, reiterating Greece's determination to continue to support Cyprus and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' efforts to "leverage every opportunity for a solution to the Cyprus issue."

The bigger picture

Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish army invaded the northern third of its territories in 1974. The republic joined the European Union in 2004, but the benefits of this accession are limited to the southern part of the island where Greek Cypriots live. 

After years of unsuccessful UN-backed efforts to resume talks, the most prominent of which took place in Switzerland in 2017, Erdogan demanded in 2021 the establishment of two states and the international community's recognition of Northern Cyprus.

UNSC resolutions

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was established in 1983, and it is only recognized by Turkey. Since the declaration of the illegal state. Cypriots have urged for the reunification of the country.

In 1983 and 1984, the UN Security Council drafted resolutions 541 and 550, respectively, in an effort to resolve the issue.

Resolution 541 (1983)

Resolution 541 states the independent Turkish state in Northern Cyprus is incompatible with the 1960 Treaty of the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, labeling the state as “invalid.”

The UN Security Council deplored the Turkish Cypriot authorities’ declaration of independence, classifying the declaration as “legally invalid” and called for its withdrawal.

The resolution also urges for all states to “respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus,” and “not to recognize any Cypriot State other than the Republic of Cyprus.”

Resolution 550 (1984)

Resolution 550 includes multiple similarities to 541, but it features additional statements and points concerning the Cyprus problem.

The resolution expresses the condemnation of all acts of secession, including the alleged ambassadorial exchange between Turkey and the leadership of the Turkish Cypriots, proclaiming them "illegal and invalid," and demanding their immediate withdrawal.

The UN Security Council reiterated the call for all states to solely recognize the existence of the Republic of Cyprus, while also adding that the Security-General should urgently promote the implementation of resolution 541.