The European Parliament condemned on Thursday the illegal detention of five Greek Cypriots in the Turkish occupied territories of Cyprus, demanding their immediate release, in a resolution adopted during its plenary session in Strasbourg, following Wednesday’s debate.

The resolution, supported by all major political groups (The Left, S&D, Renew, PPE, ECR), received 597 votes in favour out of 602. The other 5 MEPs abstained. 

In their resolution, MEPs condemn Turkey’s continued illegal occupation of the northern part of Cyprus for 51 years and denounce the serious violation of international law and obstacle to peace, stability and relations between the European Union and Turkey.

They note that the detention since July 2025 of five the Greek Cypriots  after visiting their properties in the village of Galatia is “illegal and politically motivated”. Even if three of them were released under conditions on 10 September, they remain in the occupied territory and cannot go back to their homes, MEPs added.

The Turkish military occupation regime is trying, through abduction and hostage-taking, to intensify intimidation, the resolution states. According to MEPs, it targets and influences people who attempt to visit their ancestral properties or appeal to the “Immovable Property Commission” in the occupied areas.

Finally, MEPs point out that the EU has a moral and legal obligation to support the Republic of Cyprus and its citizens, who are also EU citizens, and call on the Commission and the European External Action Service to take all necessary measures, including considering punitive measures.

The oral amendment by Cypriot AKEL (The Left) MEP Giorgos Georgiou was  approved, according to which “on September 10, 2025, three of the five Greek Cypriot citizens were released on parole by the unrecognized military court, but remain in the occupied areas and cannot return to their homes.”

The five Greek Cypriots were “arrested” on July 19 in the Turkish-occupied village of Trikomo, in the northern part of Cyprus, while visiting their properties and were charged by the “authorities” of the illegal regime with “illegal entry” and other charges. 

The Cyprus government condemned the arrests, calling for the immediate release of the five, while a European Commission spokesperson said the EU “does not recognise the self-proclaimed state in the northern part of Cyprus and its so-called judicial system.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.