Press Release - National Ferderation of Cypriots in the UK - 20th July 2009:

UK CYPRIOTS MARCH FOR JUSTICE FOR CYPRUS AND AN END TO THE ISLAND’S DIVISION

British Cypriots and politicians from across Britain’s political spectrum yesterday condemned Turkey’s intransigence over efforts to end its continuing illegal military occupation of the northern part of Cyprus.

The Prime Minister, Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, was petitioned to use the UK’s influence over the Turkish Government in order to persuade Turkey to withdraw its occupation troops and play an active and positive role in current efforts to reunite Cyprus for the benefit of all Cypriots.

A demonstration outside the Turkish Embassy in London and the delivery of a letter of protest to the Turkish Ambassador was followed by a march through the heart of London, the delivery of the petition in Downing Street and then a mass rally in Trafalgar Square. The annual July London “Rally for Cyprus” was the culmination of a series of events, organised by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, to mark the twin anniversaries of the fascist coup by the military junta then ruling Greece on 15h July 1974, and the illegal invasion of Cyprus by the Turkish army which followed 5 days later, on 20th July 1974. The event came hot on the heels of a lobby of Parliament held on Tuesday 14th July 2009.

The rally in Trafalgar Square was addressed by several British MPs and MEPs from all three main political parties, Mr Peter Droussiotis, President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, Mr Alexis Galanos, Mayor of occupied Famagusta and President of the Occupied Towns and Municipalities of Cyprus, and Mr Neoklis Sylikiotis, Cyprus Government Minister of the Interior who was the main speaker at the event. The Mayors of the occupied Cypriot towns of Morphou and Lapithos, Mr. Charalambos Pitta, and Mr Athon Eleftheriou, respectively, also took part in the Rally.


In his opening address, Mr. Droussiotis said, among other things:
“The division of Cyprus is a scar on the face of the island, an anachronism in the Europe of the 21st century, a tragedy for all of the island’s people that must not be allowed to continue. This is a division created by Turkey and sustained by it through force of arms. Turkey must, at long last, be held to account.

“We are here today to remind the British Government of its historic responsibilities to Cyprus. We call upon the Prime Minister to use Britain’s influence over Turkey proactively and decisively. The United Kingdom must exert real pressure on the Turkish Government to support with deeds – not merely with empty words – the true unity of the island.” *


Mr Sylikiotis spoke of the hope of President Christofias that the goodwill he has shown in current direct negotiations on the island will be matched by his opposite number, Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Talat, but added that progress in those talks was dependent upon Turkey’s commitment to a solution:

“The Cyprus settlement must be found by Cypriots for Cypriots but the key to a solution lies in Ankara. Turkey must abide by international law and the UN Resolutions on Cyprus. The EU also has a central role to play. In her EU accession course, Turkey must fulfil her obligations to the Union and the Republic of Cyprus and must cooperate and support a solution that serves the interests of all Cypriots. Cyprus and Greece currently support Turkey’s accession. This support, however, is not unconditional. Turkey has to fulfil the obligations of the Ankara agreement.”



British MPs and MEPs called on the UK government and EU member states to act in order to ensure that the ongoing direct negotiations between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus are not in vain. There was vocal and unanimous support for a comprehensive and durable settlement which will liberate Cyprus from the Turkish military occupation and end the island’s forcible division of the last 35 years.


Theresa Villiers MP highlighted the importance of the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice on the matter of property rights:

“It rightly sends a signal to anyone thinking of buying a property abroad: don’t buy stolen property in occupied northern Cyprus because one day justice will catch up with you. It is a tragedy that Cyprus remains divided and it is an honour to be here to show my solidarity with your campaign for justice.”



Simon Hughes MP also referred to the ECJ ruling, stating:

“We have a European Court of Justice whose rulings have ultimate jurisdiction and I reinforce the Court’s message that property rights cannot be transferred by illegal occupation and that this needs to be understood north of the line as well as beyond the frontiers of Cyprus.”



Charles Tannock MEP called for Turkey’s accession course to the EU to be used as leverage in order to exert pressure on Ankara:

“Turkey cannot make gains through its accession negotiations; it must recognise Cyprus, a member state of the EU, if it wants to be a member itself. It needs to understand that it needs to grow up and act responsibly in accordance with international law.”


Andrew Dismore MP addressed the rally in Greek, saying that the island’s 35 year long division was unjust and unacceptable and that it was time for Turkey to play a constructive role so that justice could be done and Cyprus could be restored to unity for all Cypriots.


Mary Honeyball MEP spoke of her admiration for President Christofias in his endeavours to progress negotiations towards a solution:

“President Christofias deserves recognition, congratulations and praise for the lead that he is taking and for the patient commitment he is displaying for the sake of a solution. With such commitment, even in the face of such desperate intransigence from Turkey, there is surely real hope for a settlement.”

Support was also lent to the Cyprus cause by some of the performers on the “fourth plinth” in Trafalgar Square, who had earlier lent their voices to the calls for justice and the upholding of human rights.


The event in Trafalgar Square was also attended by German MEP, Reimer Boege, the Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Brian Coleman, a large number of London Councillors including UK Cypriot Councillors and former Members of Parliament Tom Cox and Ian Twin, long standing friends of Cyprus and the UK Cypriot community.

See video of the National Federation - Lobby at the Palace of Westminister 14th July 2009:
Turkey must change its intransigent stance on Cyprus say British Parliamentarians
http://www.archive.org/
details/NationalFederationofCypriotsintheUnitedKingdomTurkeymustchangeitsintransigentstanceo

See video of the Cypriot Community at a Reception addressed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, at the Foreign Office hosted by Europe Minister Caroline Flynn. 6th May 2009
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6C40773EB8BCEB58

See video of the National Federation - Lobby at the Palace of Westminister, 3rd March 2009,
Cyprus progress towards unity - Time for Turkey to meet its obligations on Cyprus
http://www.archive.org/details/
PeterDroussiotisCyprusprogresstowardsunity-TimeforTurkeytomeetitsobligationsonCyprus

See video of the National Federation -
Rally for Cyprus London 2008 - Picket at Turkish Embassy and Demonstration march to Trafalgar Square
http://www.archive.org/
details/PeterDroussiotisRallyforCyprusLondon2008P1of2

See video of the National Federation -
Rally for Cyprus At Trafalgar Square - London 2008
http://www.archive.org/
details/PeterDroussiotisRallyforCyprusLondon2008P20f2.mpg

See video of the National Federation
Lobby of the British Parliament 2008
New Hope for Unity in Cyprus
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CF04A3A986A899DB

See video of the National Federation
Rally for Cyprus 2007
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=C6C50479E5376B39