Philenews

Turkey Condemns Cypriot Presidency's Use of 'Occupation' and 'Invasion' Terms

Published January 9, 2026, 09:23
Turkey Condemns Cypriot Presidency's Use of 'Occupation' and 'Invasion' Terms

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong statement condemning the use of the terms “occupation” and “invasion” during the launch of the Cypriot presidency in the EU. Ankara categorically rejects these characterizations, arguing that they do not reflect historical reality. The statement claims that the only “occupation” on the island stems from the takeover of government positions by Greek Cypriots in 1963, which Turkey asserts violated the Constitution and the rights of Turkish Cypriots. It further accuses the EU of double standards, as it ignores the existence of Turkish Cypriots. Turkey alleges that the Greek Cypriot side is exploiting its EU presidency to promote a “distorted rhetoric” and an “intransigent stance” on the Cyprus issue. It points out that this undermines the EU’s ability to play an impartial role in resolving the problem. This statement is part of Turkey’s ongoing effort to overturn the dominant narrative regarding the Cyprus issue and justify its own actions on the island.