Cyprus’ president on Tuesday called recent Turkish actions in the Avlona area “particularly worrying,” saying the government has lodged diplomatic protests and is in contact with the head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission on the island.
President Nikos Christodoulides said the government’s priority is the safety of farmers and others working legally inside the U.N.‑controlled buffer zone.
He said Nicosia is taking “all necessary diplomatic steps” and remains in communication with UNFICYP chief.
Responding to U.N. Secretary‑General António Guterres’ latest reports on his Good Offices mission and on UNFICYP, Christodoulides said he welcomed what he described as an unusually positive tone from the U.N. chief. He noted it was the first time in years that Guterres had spoken so optimistically about prospects for progress on the Cyprus issue.
Christodoulides also highlighted Guterres’ call for renewed talks on the substance of the dispute and said the Greek Cypriot side is ready to take part as soon as it receives an invitation to a new expanded meeting.