Turkey cannot control the European institutions and its audacity and arrogance are certainly not accepted by EU institutions Defence Minister Demetris Eliades said Sunday during a speech at a Memorial Service for those killed at Neo Chorio Kythreas during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus during the summer of 1974.

The Defence Minister added that by behaving in this way Turkey is jeopardizing its European orientation.

He added that Turkey instead of contributing to the solution of the Cyprus problem, threatens, provokes and violates the sovereignty of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and at the same time it violates the European legitimacy in relation to the Cyprus Presidency of the European Council.

” Europe is trying to overcome its current crisis by strengthening its ties, institutions and the unity of its nations and peoples. The deepening of European integration creates prospects and paves the way to the future of the EU,” he noted.

He added that Turkey does not abide with the EU norms and regulations, noting that the country insists on the anachronism of the military occupation and brutal division of Cyprus, violating fundamental human rights and freedoms of all Cypriots.

Indicating that Cyprus talks under the auspices of the United Nations have reached a deadlock, he said that the the fact that the Turkish side is intransigent and has reneged allows no optimism.

“The good will and the political will of the Greek Cypriot side is not enough on its own to reach a viable solution based on the resolutions of the United Nations, International and European Law and the High Level Agreements,” he said.

Eliades pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side, seeks and works for a solution and is ready for an honest and viable compromise, but in no case will recognize the fait accompli created illegally after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, has been divided since Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third in 1974.