Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides issued a written statement on Cyprus Missing Persons Day, calling on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side to engage in substantive cooperation to determine the fate of missing persons.
Christodoulides urged both parties to share information held by the Turkish military and to facilitate access to possible burial sites. He also demanded unconditional access to military archives and data related to the transfer of the deceased, while calling for the lifting of restrictions on excavations and investigations in off-limits areas.
"Stagnation and oblivion are not options we can accept," Christodoulides stated, emphasizing that uncovering the truth about each missing person is a prerequisite for justice, sustainable peace, and reconciliation.
The President noted that the Republic of Cyprus continues to support the Committee on Missing Persons by strengthening the evaluation of testimonies, use of archives, and acceleration of identification procedures. He also stressed the need for ongoing engagement with the United Nations, the European Union, and the broader international community.
Christodoulides concluded by reaffirming that efforts will not cease until families of the missing receive the answers they have long awaited.
