“Today marks the 49th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of 20 July 1974, which caused the territorial mutilation of Cyprus and the ongoing drama of thousands of missing displaced, and stranded people,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Greece bows to the memory of its fallen brothers and sisters and expresses its respect and gratitude to all Cypriots and Greeks who bravely defended the Great Island,” it added: “Almost half a century later, the Cyprus problem remains an international issue of illegal invasion and occupation, in violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, as is the case with the ongoing year and a half long Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

“For Greece, the resolution of the Cyprus issue is a top national priority. In coordination with the Republic of Cyprus, we are working systematically to create the conditions that will allow for a just, viable, functional, and mutually acceptable solution,” the Foreign Ministry stressed.

“A solution that takes into account Cyprus’ status as a member state of the European Union and frees it from the anachronistic system of guarantees and interventionist rights. A solution of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. No attempt to create a fait accompli on the ground will be accepted and there can be no discussion of a ‘two-state’ scenario. In the just struggle of the Cypriot Hellenism, Greece will always and consistently be a supporter and co-sponsor”, the Foreign Ministry’s statement concludes.