President Christodoulides on Wednesday condemned the ongoing war in Gaza and renewed calls for Cyprus’s reunification in a wide-ranging address to the United Nations General Assembly.
Christodoulides began by addressing the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and its aftermath, stating, “No one was spared by the blindness and cruelty of terror that Friday morning.” He emphasised, “There is never, ever, any justification for terror.”
The Cypriot leader highlighted his country’s role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. “As a country that is an integral part of the region, Cyprus built on the longstanding bonds of friendship and trust with our neighbours,” he said, detailing the establishment of the “Amalthea maritime corridor” to deliver aid.
Christodoulides stressed the urgent need for action on the Gaza crisis: “The situation in Gaza is a desperate cry for us to act decisively. We must do all that is in our power, we must act – as leaders, as states, as international and regional organisations.”
He called for an immediate end to the conflict, stating, “This war must end now. The suffering must stop now.”
Turning to the Cyprus issue, Christodoulides marked 50 years since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, condemning the ongoing occupation. “50 years, half a century, of continuing Turkish occupation of approximately 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. Of continuous violation of the UN Charter, international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law,” he said.
The President expressed his determination to reunify Cyprus, declaring, “I am determined to work tirelessly and bravely for peace in Cyprus. To reunify my country and its people, in a modern, viable European state, with no troops of occupation, no foreign guarantees.”
Addressing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan directly, Christodoulides challenged: “To Mr Erdogan, I also say: now is the time to deliver on your proclaimed commitment to international law and to peace. No country that believes in the moral superiority of its position refuses to sit on the negotiating table.”
Christodoulides concluded by emphasising the importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges. “The nature of the challenges we face is such that no country can address it on its own. We need to come together,” he said.
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