TAKE ACTION: Turkey sends war & drill ships into Cyprus' EEZ | Federation elections | Christian persecution in occupied Cyprus

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Cyprus Briefing

11 May 2019

Turkey's warships and drilling vessels have illegaly entered Cyprus' EEZ with the intent to drill for Cyprus' natural resources TAKE ACTION: Take 10 seconds to send your MP an email to ensure that they are calling for action to be taken to ensure Turkey removes its illegal vessels from Cyprus' EEZ via our website: www.cypriotfederation.org.uk/MP Please share this link www.cypriotfederation.org.uk/MP with friends and family and ask them to also their MP Federation Annual General Meeting elects new top team Foreign & Commonwealth Office report highlights Cypriot Christians’ persecution in the occupied north

TAKE ACTION: Turkey illegally sends war and drill ships into Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone

What is happening right now in Cyprus’ EEZ? In recent years, significant hydrocarbon reserves have been discovered in the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). For example, in February 2019, American energy giant ExxonMobil and the Cypriot Government announced that they had discovered 5-8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas resources in one part of Cyprus’ EEZ. The Republic of Cyprus has exercised its internationally recognised, sovereign rights in its EEZ and has licensed drilling permits to international energy companies who will begin drilling over the next few years. The Government of Cyprus has been clear that all Cypriots will benefit from the exploitation of the island’s natural riches and has established a wealth fund. Sadly, Turkey has proven time and again that it cannot refrain from interfering in Cyprus' affairs. More worryingly, it is clear from Turkey's rhetoric that it intends to take unilateral actions and use its military power so that Turkey, itself, benefits from Cyprus' natural resources. There have been countless occasions where the Turkish warship, ‘Barbaros’, has entered Cyprus’ territory without the consent of the Cypriot Government. In the last week, this has escalated as ‘Barbaros’ and the drilling ship, ‘Fatih’ (which translates to ‘Conqueror’ in English), have arrived in Cyprus’ EEZ with the intent to start drilling for natural resources.  What has the reaction been and what must Turkey do? The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, has described Turkey’s recent illegal incursion as a “second invasion” and it comes nearly 45 years after Turkish troops landed in Cyprus in July 1974. Cypriot authorities have taken steps to issue an international arrest warrant for the crew of ‘Fatih’ and all those involved in the illegal drilling operation. They are also examining a series of other possible measures, within the context of EU and International law. Cypriot Foreign Minister, Nikos Christodoulides, has confirmed that Cyprus has submitted the coordinates delineating the boundaries of its EEZ and continental shelf to the United Nations. There has already been strong international condemnation expressed regarding Turkey’s latest actions. However, beyond condemnation, sustained action must now be taken to ensure: Turkey removes its warships and drillship from Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone Turkey respects the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and International Law The Republic of Cyprus is allowed to exercise its sovereign and legal right to explore and exploit its natural resources, uninhibited. A sovereign right which must be respected according to international law. What can I do? 45 years after Turkey invaded Cypriot soil with tanks and soldiers, they are now invading Cypriot waters with warships and drill ships. Therefore, we need everyone to ensure that their local MP is publicly speaking out and calling for action against Turkey's continued occupation and illegal incursion into Cyprus' EEZ, as well as highlighting why Turkey cannot have a role in a reunified Cyprus. This issue does not only affect Cyprus. It is of particular interest to Cyprus’ closest neighbours and partners in the region such as Greece, Egypt, Lebanon and Israel. Cyprus is the gateway for Israeli and Egyptian natural gas to reach Europe, and will help diversify Europe’s energy security in the years to come. We've made it simple and easy to email your MP through our website: www.cypriotfederation.org.uk/MP. Our website will find your MP, their contact details and prepare a template email - it takes less than 30 seconds and can make a big difference for Cyprus! Please share this message and ask friends and family to also email their local MP, so we can make even more of an impact. You could also tweet or post on Facebook using the following text and tagging your local MP, Government/Opposition Minister or political party that you support: “45 years after Turkey invaded Cypriot soil with tanks and soldiers, they’re now invading Cypriot waters with warships and drill ships. The UK and the international community need to stand up to Turkey and its bullish actions! #HandsOffCyprus #standuptoTurkey” CLICK HERE to email your MP NOW!

Federation Annual General Meeting elects new top team On Thursday 9 May 2019 the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and biennial elections for its Secretariat and Officers. Christos Karaolis, the first third-generation Cypriot to hold the position, was re-elected as President. He will now enter his third term as President of the Federation. Reflecting on the achievements of the Federation during the past two years (2017-19), Mr Karaolis said that "we've continued our work in raising the profile of the Cyprus issue and putting Cyprus, and our community, on the map in parliament and beyond, through a new form of online campaigning that amplifies our diaspora’s voice.” He highlighted the ‘Hands Off Cyprus’ campaign, that saw 41% of MPs contacted and led to Conservative MPs, the Labour Party, Lib Dems and the Green Party issuing statements calling for the abolition of guarantees & removal of foreign troops from Cyprus.

After the conclusion of the President’s report, the AGM elected an election committee to oversee the meeting and ensure the smooth running of the voting. Christodoulos Stylianou, Honorary Vice-President of the Federation, was elected as Chair of the committee and the rest of the committee consisted of Aliki Koumettou, George Michael, Maria Paschali and George Yiakoumi.

After vote counting had concluded, the results were announced by Christos Tuton on behalf of the election committee. A quarter of the Federation's newly elected Secretariat are under the age of 38 and will continue to bring new ideas and fresh approaches to the organisation’s work. The Federation's member associations welcomed this as a very positive sign that young, UK-born Cypriots are actively engaged with the UK Cypriot diaspora, as well as the Cyprus issue. Once the Secretariat was elected, representatives of the Federation’s member associations elected the Officers of the organisation. The full list of names and their positions can be found below. The following were elected as Officers of the Federation: President | Christos Karaolis Vice-Presidents | Andreas Papaevripides, Bambos Charalambous, Michalis Ellinas General Secretary | Michael Kashis Treasurer | Ninos Koumettou Secretariat 2019-21 (A-Z by surname): Agathou, Michael; Alexandrou, Constantine; Andronicou, Nicos; Charalambous, Bambos; Chimonas, Andreas; Constantinides, Susie; Ellinas, Michalis; Eracleous, Panikos; Georgiou, Andreas; Georgiou, Costas; Gregoriou, Andreas; Habeshis, Stephanos; Hadjiphillipou, Savvas; Harmanda, Katia; Ioannou, Chriso; Karaolis, Christos; Karaolis, Mary Helen; Kashis, Michalis; Koumettou, Ninos; Koumettou, Yiannis; Kouvaros, Ioannis; Kouvaros, Menicos; Lambrianos, Carmen Chrysanthe; Mavrou, Vasilis; Michaelides, George; Nicolaou, Evoula; Nicolaou, Neophytos; Palazidou, Eleni; Papaevripides, Andreas; Pavlides, Savvas; Pippas, Christina; Sakkas, Costas; Savvides, Andrew; Theodoulou, George; Tuton, Christos; Vourou, Tony; Yiakoumi, Michael; Yiakoumi, Panayiotis; Zachariades, Tasos.

Read more about the AGM

Foreign & Commonwealth Office report highlights Christian  persecution in the occupied northern part of Cyprus The occupied part of Cyprus features in a new landmark Foreign & Commonwealth Office report on the persecution of Christians around the world as a distinct case of a region where religious rights are being violated. Following representations from the Federation and a number of our Member Associations, the President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, Christos Karaolis, was asked to give oral evidence on behalf of the UK Cypriot community to outline the current persecution of Christians in occupied northern Cyprus as well as recommendations for the FCO. The interim report, published last week, highlighted the destruction of Christian churches and cemetries as well as the restricted access to worship in the northern area of Cyprus under Turkish occupation. The report was produced by a panel headed by the Bishop of Truro Philip Mounstephen under the commission of the Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt. It concludes that Christians are the most violated religious group in the world, with 245 million of them facing severe levels of persecution in 50 countries. In some countries, such as Iraq, the degree of persecution is akin to genocide, the Church of England Bishop reports. Read more about the Foreign & Commonwealth Office report

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