The continuation of Cyprus` illegal occupation by Turkey and the rhetoric of the Turkish side over the existence of two “states” on the island are not conducive to a Cyprus settlement, they rather bring us further away from it, Interior Minister Socratis Hasikos said on Sunday.

He was speaking during a memorial service at the village of Kyperounta, in Limassol District.

Such rhetoric is disclosing the real intentions of Turkey and of the Turkish Cypriot community and does not lead to the peaceful reunification of Cyprus, the Minister went on.

He added that it is up to the Turkish side to prove whether it strives for a just, final and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue or not.

Hasikos also said that recent Turkish provocations in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone and Ankara`s violations of the Republic`s sovereign rights are everything but helpful.

He noted finally that the decision of the Greek Cypriot side to suspend its participation in negotiation talks was “the least we could do, in order to demonstrate our strong protest and condemnation of Turkish provocations”.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

An illegal breakaway state declared independence unilaterally, on November 15, 1983, in the areas under Turkish occupation, an action condemned by the UN Security Council and the international community as legally null and void.

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades decided recently to suspend his participation in the UN-backed negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem, after Turkish seismic exploration vessel Barbaros entered Cyprus` exclusive economic zone, a few days after Turkey had issued an illegal maritime order (NAVTEX) for the area.