Cyprus stil occupied still divided 1974-2016

• The demographic structure and balance of Cyprus has been altered due to the illegal mass transfer of settlers from Turkey to the occupied areas, as well as the emigration of thousands of Turkish Cypriots from the island after the Turkish invasion. Turkish Cypriots are now vastly outnumbered by troops and settlers from Turkey, thus constituting the minority in the occupied areas. • The usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties con- tinues through the illegal construction on Greek Cypriot land and the illegal sale of property owned by Greek Cypriots, who were forcibly expelled from their homes after the Turkish invasion. • Priceless religious and archaeological treasures – part of the world’s cultural heritage – are still in danger, while many churches, monuments, ceme- teries and archaeological sites have been de- stroyed, desecrated or vandalised. A series of UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, as well as resolutions adopted by numer- ous other international organisations, reflect the uni- versal condemnation of Turkey’s invasion and all sub- sequent acts of aggression against Cyprus. The resolutions demand, amongst other, the withdrawal of foreign troops, the return of refugees to their homes in safety and the ascertainment of the fate of the missing persons. Moreover, they call for the re- spect of the human rights of all Cypriots as well as for the independence, sovereignty and territorial in- tegrity of Cyprus. More recently, the European Court of Human Rights, in its judgment against Turkey on 12 May 2014, has found the government of Turkey responsible for gross and systematic violations of hu- man rights in Cyprus. Successive rounds of UN-sponsored talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to resolve the Cyprus problem did not yield a positive result due to the negative stance of the Turkish side, which holds the key to a solution to the Cyprus prob- lem. The Greek Cypriot side, on the other hand, re- mains steadfast on positions of principle, proceeds to the negotiating table in good faith and with tar- geted proposals, seeking to rid Cyprus from Turkish troops and to reunify the country and its people in a modern, functional European state. President Anastasiades is focusing his efforts on reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, firmly based on the United Nations Security Council Resolutions, the High Level Agreements and the Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014. Such a set- tlement will be fully in line with the EU law, values and principles, and will see the evolution of the Re- public of Cyprus to a system of a bi-communal, bi- zonal federation, with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and a single citizenship. Un- der these circumstances the rights and interests of all Cypriots will be safeguarded, while Cyprus will be a modern European country that can be an asset to its European, regional and transatlantic partners. In essence, the EU constitutes the best safeguard and guarantee for reunited Cyprus and its people.