Cypriot parliament holds special session marking 1974 anniversaries

The House of Representatives of Cyprus held a special plenary session to commemorate the anniversaries of the July 15, 1974, coup and the July 20, 1974, Turkish invasion. President of the House, Annita Demetriou, presided over the session, which began with a minute of silence for those who lost their lives. During her address, Demetriou emphasized the necessity of preserving historical memory and reiterated the country's commitment to United Nations-led efforts for resuming reunification talks. She condemned Turkey’s promotion of a two-state solution, characterizing it as a major obstacle to progress. Demetriou accused Turkey of implementing a long-term policy of colonization in the occupied territories, aimed at altering the demographic, cultural, and religious landscape. She further criticized actions taken in the fenced-off area of Varosha and the buffer zone, which she argued violate the status quo. The session reaffirmed the government's stance on protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. Demetriou also highlighted the importance of leveraging the European dimension in resolving the Cyprus issue.