Turkish invasion of Cyprus

The celebrations to mark the 45th anniversary of Turkey's military operation launched to protect Turkish population in Cyprus began on the island on July 20.

In a message ahead of the 45th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on July 20, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America said it was within the power of Cypriots themselves to achieve peace for the divided island.

"Violence only bears violence and it is the duty of the powers and states located beyond the seas of Cyprus to negotiate with her and not intervene," he said.

Greek Cypriot party leaders on July 16 rejected an offer from the Turkish Cypriot president to create a cooperation mechanism for joint exploration and profit-sharing of hydrocarbon resources around the island of Cyprus, according to local media.     

Cyprus on Monday marked the 45th anniversary of an Athens-backed military coup with a memorial service for those killed at a church in Nicosia. The July 15, 1974, coup was followed by the Turkish invasion five days later. [EPA]

The United Nations has lauded the news that mobile phone coverage has been extended to both sides of the divide on the east Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus.
That means Turkish Cypriots living in the Turkish-occupied north and Greek Cypriots living in the internationally recognized south can use their mobile devices on either side for the first time.

Dozens of Greek Cypriot families in Limassol are up in arms over a land dispute, accusing the government of lying to them as they face lawsuits from a Turkish Cypriot property owner.

Just two weeks after the EU threatened Turkey with sanctions over its violation of Cyprus' sovereignty in its Exclusive Economic Zone, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlet Cavusoglu are issuing thinly veiled threats of military action against the EU member-state.

The administration in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus decided on Tuesday to open Varosha, an abandoned southern quarter of the Cypriot city of Famagusta, for settlement, Turkish Daily Sabah reported.
Varosha was a famous tourist area with a population of about 39,000 who fled in 1974 when the Turkish army invaded the island. It has remained closed off ever since.

Turkish Cyprus on June 16 slammed an EU summit declaration, saying the bloc "cannot be fair and impartial" on the Cyprus issue, reported local media.       

Turkey on June 7 stressed its commitment to protecting the rights of Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean after the Greek Cypriot administration said it had signed contracts with major energy industry players.