Nicolas Papadopoulos stresses the importance of Cyprus state continuity

On September 29, 2026, the President of the Democratic Party (DIKO), Nicolas Papadopoulos, addressed the Cyprus Forum in Nicosia, emphasizing that the continuity of the Republic of Cyprus is the only protection for the island against future political instability. He warned that if the state were to be dissolved or paralyzed following a potential resolution to the Cyprus problem, Greek Cypriots could face a fate similar to that of the Palestinians, a scenario he strongly opposes.

Papadopoulos stated that while a functional solution to the Cyprus problem is theoretically possible, it remains entirely dependent on Turkey. He criticized Turkey's current stance, characterizing it as the most aggressive in history. He attributed this shift to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's turn toward nationalist fundamentalism and Islamic state-building, noting that Turkey is currently engaged in three foreign conflicts.

He further reiterated that any future settlement must strictly adhere to the European acquis and universal values. He dismissed any system resembling apartheid, which he claims Turkey is seeking to impose, and warned that mechanisms allowing for a veto that could paralyze the state would inevitably lead to future crises.