Last month, the Turkish provocations inside the buffer zone were in Pyla, now they are in Ayios Dometios. Previously, they were in the Denia area with the farmers. Not to mention the case of Strovilia.
The recent violation of the buffer zone by the occupying forces is undoubtedly very serious. It adds to the events that have unfolded in the Pyla region, essentially confirming the underlying motive behind all Turkish actions in the buffer zone—a challenge to the existing status quo and a claim for it.
This assertion has significant political implications, directly linked to the firm stance on a two-state solution and the precondition of recognising the sovereignty of the occupying regime, as asserted by the Turkish side.
Turkey, primarily, and subsequently the Turkish Cypriot administration under Tatar, seem to consider the situation in Cyprus unchangeable, viewing division as a natural progression over time. In this context, assuming they will achieve their goal of a two-state solution, they seek to extend the occupation for territorial expansion in the buffer zone, beyond any potential military advantages.
However, the focus should not be solely on the actions of the occupying forces but on how we, as the Republic of Cyprus, and the United Nations, which are responsible for monitoring the buffer zone, manage the situation.
The President of the Republic promptly declared on Tuesday night that there would be an immediate response. “The United Nations has informed us that the situation will be rectified. If not, we have already made decisions that will be implemented and decisions that will not be disclosed. But, I repeat, the UN has informed us that the situation will be rectified. This is an incident we neither downplay nor underestimate, and decisions have been made, which will be implemented if the situation is not rectified,” he stressed.
However, the crucial question remains: What are these decisions, and what impact will they have? It is worth recalling that, in the case of the buffer zone in Pyla, which we celebrated as a significant success, nothing has happened for a month.
The agreement collapsed like a house of cards in the first reaction of the occupying regime. For a month now, nothing has happened, while our government assures us that they are in constant contact with the United Nations, and the issue will be resolved soon. Neither the Turkish side is willing to cooperate nor do the United Nations show the willingness to enforce an agreement that everyone signed.
To be honest, our side has not demonstrated the ability to reverse the situation. Some may see it as a success that nothing is happening because the occupying forces are not proceeding with the road construction. But who can guarantee they won’t attempt it soon?
Let’s not deceive ourselves. The situation is critical, and the coming months may conceal significant developments.
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