Turkey rejects European Parliament resolution on 1974 crimes in Cyprus

The Turkish Ministry of Defense and Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz have formally rejected a recent European Parliament resolution concerning crimes, including sexual violence, allegedly committed by Turkish soldiers during the 1974 military intervention in Cyprus. Ankara described the resolution as legally and morally unfounded, claiming it was heavily influenced by Greek Cypriot lobbies. Turkey maintains that its 1974 actions constituted a 'peace operation' intended to protect Turkish Cypriots from existential threats. Conversely, the Turkish officials argued that the resolution ignores historical events, such as alleged massacres by EOKA after 1963 and the displacement of 30,000 Turkish Cypriots. Ankara further asserted that its military presence on the island remains a guarantor of stability. The European Parliament resolution calls for the recognition of sexual violence survivors and emphasizes the need for accountability and the preservation of historical testimony. Yilmaz criticized the EU for failing to approach the Cyprus issue objectively since the accession of the Republic of Cyprus. The Turkish government stated that it remains committed to protecting the interests of the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'.