European Parliament adopts resolution on Cyprus settlement

On Wednesday, the European Parliament plenary session adopted a recommendation to EU institutions calling for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Cyprus. The resolution was passed with 369 votes in favor, 160 against, and 112 abstentions. It explicitly characterizes the presence of Turkish troops as a violation of international law. The text calls for the immediate withdrawal of these forces, the guarantee of return rights for refugees, and progress in identifying missing persons. MEPs emphasized that the settlement should follow the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined by UN resolutions. The resolution also highlights the importance of maintaining the Green Line and supports the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (Unficyp). This decision comes ahead of the 81st UN General Assembly session scheduled for September.