Greek prime minister reiterates Cyprus occupation is illegal, urges UN action

Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsakis told the General Assembly that the unresolved Cyprus issue remains a litmus test of the United Nations’ credibility and called for reunification free of occupation forces in line with relevant Security Council resolutions.

"Fifty-two years have passed since Turkey illegally invaded Cyprus and continued to occupy it," Mitsakis said, and he urged the continuation of Secretary-General efforts to create conditions for substantive negotiations. He said that progress should be pursued under the authority of the UN to restore the island's territorial integrity and security.

Mitsakis also discussed recent efforts to improve ties with Turkey over the past three years, saying dialogue must be grounded in full respect for international law and warning that unilateral actions or threats risk deepening regional tensions. He argued that UNCLOS provides the institutional framework to resolve maritime boundary disputes peacefully.

Why it matters: The remarks restate Greece’s long-standing position on Cyprus and maritime delimitation, signal continued pressure in international fora, and frame the issue as central to both regional stability and the credibility of UN processes.