On Saturday morning a Turkish military vehicle entered the buffer zone near the village of Denia (west of Nicosia) and attempted to remove Greek Cypriot farmers who had gone to cultivate their fields. UNFICYP members (UN Peacekeeping Force) intervened at the scene and all left, only for the Turkish vehicle to reappear afterwards and the peacekeepers to return again. Normality was restored in the afternoon, as the community leader of Denia said.

Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides described the action as “not a positive development” for the Cyprus issue and assured that all necessary actions have been taken so that such incidents do not happen again.

The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs made démarches to UNFICYP for the restoration of free and safe access for Greek Cypriot farmers. Cypriot government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said that the occupying army disputes the status of the Buffer Zone and attempts to create faits accomplis, with the government closely monitoring developments.

“The new provocation in Denia undermines the good climate and peace on the island,” said Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas, calling on the United Nations to take a clear position.

Turkish provocation in the buffer zone in Cyprus – Turkish soldiers removed Greek Cypriot farmers

The Peacekeeping Force reminds constantly that agricultural activities near the ceasefire lines within the buffer zone involve risks and cause tensions, a position it has repeatedly stated. The new tension in Denia occurs at a time when efforts are being made to restart the process of resolving the Cyprus issue. Cypriot authorities estimate that such moves undermine the climate and attempt to change the situation on the ground, at a time when restraint and respect for the status quo in the Buffer Zone is required.