Archbishop Georgios warns of Turkish expansionism in Cyprus

On Monday, September 28, 2026, the Archbishop of Cyprus, Georgios, issued a stern warning regarding Turkey's intentions on the island. Speaking at the Holy Stavropegiac Monastery of Agios Neophytos in Tala, Paphos, the Archbishop stated that Turkey is seeking not only to solidify existing conditions but to complete the occupation of the entire territory of Cyprus.

Archbishop Georgios emphasized that the current approach to the Cyprus issue, which relies on compromises through continuous concessions, has proven ineffective. He called for a fundamental shift in strategy, urging the government to redefine the Cyprus issue on the international stage as a clear case of illegal invasion and occupation. He highlighted the necessity for stronger cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and the global Greek diaspora, alongside the active leveraging of international alliances to mitigate the ongoing Turkish threat.

Ultimately, the Archbishop maintained that the rights of Cyprus as a sovereign member state of the European Union must be upheld. He argued that the Turkish position has remained consistent and clear over the years, and therefore, the state must stop pursuing paths that lead to further loss of control, focusing instead on defending its rights and national integrity against further encroachment.