Clarification on Cyprus ‘universities’

EDITOR — I refer to your article featured on June 8 relating to difficulties experienced by Zimbabwean students in the Turkish-occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus.

I am obliged to bring to your attention the following facts:

At the outset, I need to underline that the so-called “universities” situated in the area occupied by Turkey since 1974, part of the Republic of Cyprus, are unlawfully operating bodies, since they were not established nor are they operating under the relevant laws and regulations of the Republic of Cyprus on higher education.

In addition, they operate under the purported “law” of the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, an illegal secessionist entity not recognised by the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey.

Many of the so-called “universities” were built on property belonging to Greek Cypriot displaced persons who were forced to flee their homes and properties due to the Turkish invasion and the sub- sequent military occupation of 36,2 percent of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, a member State of the United Nations and the European Union. Greek Cypriot property owners may bring legal action against trespassers to their properties in the Turkish-occupied area, claiming damages and other legal remedies available to them under civil law.

I am obliged to point out that following Turkey’s invasion, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus declared the ports and airports situated in the occupied part to be illegal points of entry/exit and closed to international traffic.

Therefore, those travellers entering/exiting through the illegal/closed airports and ports may face the consequences of the laws of the Republic of Cyprus. Furthermore, references in the article to “work, study permits” without clarifying the illegal nature of the issuing “authority” creates confusion for your readers.

I am surprised to note that in your featured article there is no reference to the actual situation in Cyprus as well as promoting in the article ideas of establishing some kind of ties with the illegal secessionist entity in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus in violation of international law and binding United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Cyprus.

The Republic of Zimbabwe naturally respects and fully abides by the spirit and content of those United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

I refer in particular to the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 541/83, 550/84, which call upon all States not to recognise any Cypriot State other than the Republic of Cyprus and not to facilitate or in any way assist the illegal secessionist entity.

While I understand the possible hardships faced by Zimbabwean students, they should have not been in the unfortunate situation of attending a so-called “university” operating unlawfully in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus. Yannis Iacovou Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Republic of Zimbabwe.