Cyprus has protested to the UN over infringements of international air traffic regulations and violations of its national airspace by Turkey, as well as the illegal use of closed ports by Turkish warships during September 2016.

The Permanent Representative to the UN Nicholas Emiliou said in a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon, dated 19 October 2016, that the actions of Turkey clearly aim at undermining the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, bolstering the continuing de facto division and upgrading the secessionist entity`s status, by claiming a purported airspace over the occupied territory of the Republic. Two documents attached to the letter include a detailed list of the airborne and naval violations.

Emiliou said in his letter, that circulated as an official document of the Security Council and the General Assembly, that Turkey continues to systematically harass civilian and military aircraft within the Nicosia flight information region via radio calls.

“Meanwhile, infringements of regulations in the Nicosia flight information region and violations of the national airspace of the Republic of Cyprus continue unabated. The policy of Turkey of persistently breaching international law and defying international rules and regulations puts the safety of international civil aviation at risk, has a negative impact on the stability of the region and causes difficulties for air traffic over Cyprus,” he added.

He noted that the continuation of the illegal actions of Turkey creates tension during a critical period for the successful outcome of the ongoing negotiation process for a peaceful comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.

“On behalf of my Government, I strongly protest the continuing infringements of international air traffic regulations and the violations of the national airspace and the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey and appeal for their immediate cessation. The Republic of Cyprus reiterates, in this respect, its call for adherence to the principle of sovereignty and non-interference enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,” he concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.