The Republic of Cyprus has once again called on Turkey to respond to the repeated calls of the United Nations Security Council and the relevant decisions of the European Court of Human Rights by contributing to the work of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) and providing the necessary assistance to achieve results faster.
In a written statement issued on Friday, the Government calls on Ankara to provide access to so-called military zones in the occupied areas of the Republic as well as to the Turkish army records. Cyprus also asks Turkey to provide information on incidents of movement of human remains as well as information concerning other areas where missing persons were buried in the occupied northern part of the island.
Cyprus Republic also announces that has made a contribution of 125, 000 euro to the Committee on Missing Persons. Overall Cyprus has offered financial assistance of 2 mln, 410 .000 ,700 euro from 2005 until today.
In the Statement the Government also points out that solving the humanitarian issue of missing persons and terminating the drama of their families remains a top priority and pledges to continue making every effort to this end.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Since then, the fate of hundreds of people remains unknown.
A Committee on Missing Persons has been established, upon agreement between the leaders of the two communities, with the scope of exhuming, identifying and returning the remains of missing persons to their relatives.
CNA/KCH/GV/ 2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY