Cyprus denounces Turkish airspace violations and actions in Varosia to the UN

Defence Redefined

30/03/2021

The violations of the airspace and waters of the Republic of Cyprus, which took place by Turkey last January, were reported in a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Antionio Guterres, by the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN, Ambassador Andreas Hadjichrysanthou. The letter, dated March 17, was released as an official document of the General Assembly and the Security Council.

“Turkey continues to systematically harass civilian and military aircraft within the Nicosia flight information region with radio calls, while the secessionist regime that it has installed in the area of Cyprus under Turkey’s illegal military occupation purports to issue notices to airmen relating to exercises conducted by the Turkish Air Force,” the Cypriot ambassador states in his letter, emphasizing that Turkish commercial aircraft systematically use the airport of Tympou, which continues to operate illegally following the closure by the Cyprus Government of all ports of entry in the areas where it has not exercised effective control since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

Also read: Cyprus, Greece and Egypt condemn Turkish provocations – President Anastasiadis’ letter to the UN Secretary General

Mr. Hadjichrysanthou emphasizes that these actions of Turkey clearly aim at undermining the sovereignty of Cyprus, consolidating the current de facto division of the island and trying to upgrade the status of the secessionist regime through the alleged existence of a separate air space over the occupied territory of the Republic.

“In that respect, it should be pointed out that, as stipulated, inter alia, in various Security Council resolutions, notably resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984), there is only one Cypriot State, which is the Republic of Cyprus. Accordingly, the Republic of Cyprus is the sole internationally recognized State responsible for the provision of air traffic services within the Nicosia flight information region in its entirety, and for publishing aeronautical information concerning that flight information region.”

He points out that ICAO’s policy on issues related to Cyprus is completely consistent with that of the United Nations and recognizes only the Republic of Cyprus and its government as the sole representative of the entire island.

The Cypriot Permanent Representative writes that the airports located in the occupied territory of Cyprus, the establishment of the so-called “Ercan advisory airspace” or “Ercan air traffic advisory services” and “air traffic control” (not listed in the regional air navigation plan) are illegal and consequently their activity is null, void and operationally not taken into account by international air navigation and the civil aviation community.

“Instead of vainly attempting to undermine the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and promoting the partition of Cyprus by seeking to politically upgrade the secessionist entity in the occupied northern part of Cyprus, Turkey and its subordinate local administration should try to contribute constructively to a meaningful resumption of the peace process. In that regard, it is regrettable that Turkey and the new Turkish Cypriot leader publicly reject the longstanding United Nations parameters for the settlement of the Cyprus problem and actively promote a so-called “two-state solution”, in blatant disregard of relevant Security Council resolutions.”

Also read:  Cyprus denounces Turkish violations in a letter to the UN Secretary General

Mr. Hatzichrysanthou describes as equally worrisome the fact that the Turkish side continues unabated with the creation of new faits accompli on the ground in Varosia, in total disregard of the recent calls of the Security Council to avoid actions in that area which are not in line with Council resolutions and to reverse the decision to open the city’s coastline.

“Apparently, the Turkish side should be reminded that in all of the reports on the United Nations operation in Cyprus, there is a clear reference to the fact that the United Nations continue to hold the Government of Turkey responsible for the situation in Varosha, and that the Council, in its resolution 550 (1984), after stating that it is gravely concerned about the further secessionist acts in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus, calls for the transfer of Varosia to the United Nations administration, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus states.

He also recalls that with its resolution 789 (1992), the Council clarified that “in view of the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area currently under the control of UNFICYP will be extended to include Varosia.”  

“It is therefore beyond doubt that any line of action by Turkey in Varosia other than that stipulated by the aforementioned resolutions would have been a material breach by Turkey of its obligations under the said resolutions,” Hadjihrysanthou’s letter to the UN Secretary-General concluded.

Source: CNA

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