An EU-UN booklet on Cyprus that circulated in January caused political outrage in Cyprus because it referred to towns and villages occupied by Turks using both the Greek and Turkish names. The publication, written in English, circulated in January after it was complied by both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot writers. Apart from showcasing works and restorations being done in the region, the work refers to locations using both names.

Political outrage was expressed by Andreas Hadjiraftis, Chairman of the Permanent Committee for the Standardisation of Georgraphical Names of the Foreign Minsitry of Cyprus. He said that the booklet contains “illegal geographical location names in the occupied area like Buyukkonuk, Bahceli, Serhatkoy, Yayla, Gegitkale, Degirmenlik, Gazikoy, Demirhan, Qamiibel and Pagakoy”. Hadjiraftis underlines that “the names are illegal as they were imposed by military force in the occupied area of Cyprus” adding that they are “in violation of the Charter of the United Nations…” Not only does the UN booklet use names that violate its own code, but it also punishable offence with three years in prison or fines worth 50,000 euros.