Northern Cyprus. More than 50 years of conflict. Photo: Shutterstock Tensions between Cyprus and Turkey are escalating. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus issued a strong statement of condemnation today (Friday, November 6) after Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited the north of the island, an area under Turkish control since 1974.
In an official statement, published at the time, the Cypriot Foreign Ministry defined the visit as illegal and as "another provocation," which it claims adds to Turkey's ongoing violations of the republic's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Nicosia claims that the visit sends a message of unwillingness to compromise and disregard for UN and European Union resolutions.
The Cypriot Foreign Ministry emphasized the contradiction between Turkey's conduct and its aspirations in the international arena, including its candidacy to join the European Union and its support for the candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General.
In the announcement, the ministry also referred to the European Commission's latest report, which it claims documents Turkey's continued distancing from its commitments.
Despite the exchange of accusations, Cyprus emphasizes its commitment to immediately resuming negotiations to find a comprehensive, just and sustainable solution to the division of the island, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
However, Nicosia made it clear that resuming substantive negotiations depends on Turkey's position.
The condemnation was issued against a backdrop of increased diplomatic activity on the island's future, but it does not include an announcement of practical response measures from the Cypriot government.
The current conflict is part of a conflict that has lasted for more than five decades. In 1974, following a coup in Cyprus aimed at promoting unification with Greece, Turkey launched a military operation and took control of the north of the island.
Since then, Cyprus has been effectively divided into two regions, with a buffer zone between them supervised by a UN peacekeeping force. Turkey supports recognition of the Turkish entity in the north of the island, while the Republic of Cyprus opposes the division and demands a solution within the framework of UN resolutions.
The current visit is not an isolated incident. In January 2025, Cyprus issued an official condemnation after a previous visit by Fidan to the north of the island. The visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May 2025 also provoked a strong reaction in Nicosia.