**Christodoulides to Urge Excavations for Missing Persons at UN Meeting**
President Nikos Christodoulides is set to address the issue of missing persons in Cyprus during a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres this week. The discussions will focus on the need for excavations at suspected burial sites located in military areas controlled by the Turkish military in the northern part of the island.
Speaking at a memorial event in Kornos on Sunday, Christodoulides emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating that he would reiterate his requests for permission to conduct excavations in these sensitive areas. “In all my meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader, I have submitted requests in writing,” he noted. He expressed hope that the upcoming meeting would yield a positive response regarding the excavations.
The president outlined the current status of ongoing excavations in various locations, including Agia, Assia, Yerolakkos, Lapithos, Exometochi, and Livadia. He mentioned that an additional 120 sites are under consideration for investigation, many of which are situated within military zones. Christodoulides described the resolution of the missing persons' issue as a humanitarian obligation, asserting that the conscience of the state would remain troubled until the fate of every missing individual is determined.
Highlighting the challenges faced in these investigations, Christodoulides pointed out that Turkey has denied access to military archives that could provide crucial information about the missing persons. Since the 1974 invasion, 1,619 Greek Cypriots have been reported missing, with 764 identified and 746 still unaccounted for. Among the missing Greek servicemen, only 19 have been identified out of 81.
The president also addressed the stalled investigations at Mia Milia, criticizing the explanations provided for delays, particularly the assertion that excavation costs were too high despite the project receiving funding from the European Union. He deemed these responses as “unacceptable” and called for immediate action to commence the investigations.
In a move to enhance efforts in determining the fate of missing persons, Christodoulides announced the finalization of a memorandum of cooperation between the defense ministries of Cyprus and Greece. This agreement is expected to be signed shortly by the respective defense ministers. Additionally, he confirmed that the government has allocated a permanent building for the Republic’s anthropological laboratory, a step aimed at strengthening the infrastructure for investigations and providing a more suitable environment for families receiving identified remains.
During the memorial event, Christodoulides acknowledged the shortcomings of previous governments in supporting families affected by the issue of missing persons. He extended an apology to the relatives for the state’s slow response since 1974 and assured them that the government would also address requests from the children of the missing.
The event was marked by renewed calls for cooperation from Turkey in resolving the issue of missing persons. Archbishop Georgios described the unresolved situation as “a stigma for the global civilization of our time,” while House President Annita Demetriou emphasized the ongoing debt owed to families still searching for their loved ones. “For as long as there is even one mother who is waiting, one father who is searching, one child who never learned what happened to a parent, our debt remains unfulfilled,” she stated.
Nikos Sergides, president of the missing persons relative’s association, urged Christodoulides to keep the issue at the forefront of his international engagements, reinforcing the need for continued advocacy and action on behalf of the families affected by this long-standing humanitarian crisis.
As the meeting with Guterres and Erhurman approaches, the focus on the missing persons issue highlights the ongoing complexities of the Cyprus conflict and the pressing need for resolution and reconciliation.