**Turkey Furious Over Proposed EU Monument in Cyprus**
The Turkish foreign ministry has expressed strong condemnation regarding a recent decision by the European Parliament to support the establishment of a memorial dedicated to victims of sexual violence during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. In a statement released late Thursday, the ministry claimed that the proposal unjustly "slandered" the Turkish armed forces.
The European Parliament's committee on women's rights, known as FEMM, approved an amendment on Tuesday that calls for European Commission funding to create the monument. This initiative was introduced by Loukas Fourlas, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Democratic Rally party (Disy) and the European People's Party (EPP) shadow rapporteur for the FEMM budget.
In its statement, the Turkish foreign ministry defended the military intervention in Cyprus, describing it as a "peace operation" that was necessary to prevent the extermination of the Turkish Cypriot population. The ministry asserted that the Turkish armed forces brought peace to the island, which has persisted for over fifty years.
The Turkish government further criticized the European Union, alleging that it has taken sides in the long-standing conflict between the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus. The ministry accused the EU of "undermining trust between two peoples" and labeled the bloc as a "tool" for Greek Cypriot propaganda.
In conclusion, the Turkish foreign ministry urged EU officials to refrain from actions that could alienate Turkey from the European Union, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to the complex issues surrounding Cyprus.
The proposal for the memorial comes amid ongoing tensions related to the historical events of 1974, when Turkey intervened in Cyprus following a coup d'état that aimed to unite the island with Greece. This intervention led to the division of Cyprus into the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognized by Turkey.
The creation of the memorial is seen by many as a step towards acknowledging the suffering experienced by victims of sexual violence during the conflict. However, it has also reignited disputes over historical narratives and the interpretation of events from that period.
As discussions continue, the situation remains sensitive, with both sides holding deeply entrenched views about the events of 1974 and their aftermath. The proposed memorial is likely to be a focal point in the ongoing dialogue about reconciliation and historical memory in Cyprus.