Türkiye slams Greek Cypriot's provocative Easter message, warns of second peace operation

Türkiye has reiterated that it will not abstain from exercising its rights as a guarantor state for Cyprus following Greek Cypriot Archbishop Georgios' Easter remarks that angered Ankara.

Sources in the Turkish Ministry of Defence made the statement on April 24 in response to these provocative  Easter remarks, Caliber.Az reports citing Daily Sabah.

In his holiday message, the influential cleric on the divided island accused Türkiye of “expansionism” and called for coordination with Greece, another guarantor state, to “liberate the island.”

The sources stated that Türkiye will oppose any actions by the Greek Cypriot administration that threaten peace, stability, and the security of Turkish Cypriots on the island.

The ministry sources added that the archbishop’s statements should be viewed in the context of a recently announced anti-Turkish terrorist group in southern Cyprus, which appears to reflect the ideology of the Greek Cypriot terrorist organisation EOKA, known in the past for killing Turkish Cypriots.

“These latest remarks are among the most blatant examples of the discriminatory, fanatical, and provocative mindset that has led to the current deadlock on the island,” the sources said.

Greek and Turkish Cypriots remain divided over the island’s final status. Turkish Cypriots seek an independent state and reject the idea of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation as a solution.

As the publication recalls, the archbishop is among the successors of Makarios III, who served two terms as president of the self-styled Republic of Cyprus in the 1970s. Makarios III was the main proponent of the island’s unification with Greece before turning to defending independence for the island. He was the president when Turks faced ethnic attacks and was deposed in a coup just days before Türkiye’s 1974 Peace Operation to rescue Turkish Cypriots from Greek Cypriot attacks.

“This mentality, which ignores historical facts, distorts the current situation, and misrepresents Türkiye’s presence on the island, stands as the biggest obstacle to peace, dialogue, and a constructive approach to the issue. This stance, which disregards international law and humanitarian values, is a direct attack on the legitimate rights and security of the Turkish Cypriot people. Cyprus has never been a Greek Cypriot island,” the sources emphasized in their conversation with Daily Sabah.

They added that Türkiye has called on the Greek Cypriot administration to adopt a rational, reasonable stance instead of engaging in aggressive and hostile rhetoric. They urge the authorities to contribute to a solution based on the sovereign equality of both peoples, stressing the fact that it is thanks to Türkiye that peace has been maintained on the island so far.

By Nazrin Sadigova