Occupying Turkey questions the status of the dead zone, moves to occupy territories within this area, while bringing back the issue of a separate agreement between the separatist entity and UNFICYP. The guide in this effort is the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, who handles the Cyprus issue, at a strategic and tactical level. It is clear that Ankara is trying to create new achievements on the ground, employing “proven” practices.
- It is a game that has two axes, which are inextricably linked and concern the dead zone and the UNFICYP.
Her case Gate as well as other areas of the dead zone, along the cease-fire line, are part of this plan, which is implemented gradually. Benchmark and model for the Turkish side they are the Turbines, area into which the occupying troops had advanced the 2000 and they haven’t taken a step back since. Instead, they are moving forward, despite the condemning UN resolutions and critical references in its reports. General Secretary. OR Turkish side considers them Turbines as a precedent to proceed with new illegal actions.
It is clear that her questioning dead zone from Turkey is part of a logic, which is based on planning, which also includes the occupation of territories. Disputes the status of the area, “grey” and claims. In some cases, he goes a step further. So, it is about one systematic methodical effort by the occupying army, which has advanced its positions in these areas through various actions.
The crisis in Pyla
The Republic of Cyprus is closely monitoring the developments in Gate and is in constant contact with UNFICYP. OR peacekeeping force, it has taken initiatives, it intervenes, but it has shown that its possibilities are limited. And its mobilization, in the last crisis in Pyla, did not happen immediately as initially there was an obvious attempt to downgrade it. He treated it as a problem involving the refusal of the occupying side to check veterinary units for FMD!
Her interventions UNFICYPwhich followed, were the result of Nicosia’s intense interventions, the diplomacy and the fact that the President of the Republic reacted strongly to officials of the International Organization. It is noted that Cyprus was recently visited by Deputy G.G. of the UN, Competent for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix. The visit was planned, however, due to the events it changed its agenda and character and focused on the issue of Pyla and dead zone wider.
The United Nations today they are talking about de-escalation while it is clear that the matter will end only if the status quo ante is restored. It is noted that the Turkish side, which never implemented the 2023 agreement, has currently moved inside the neutral zone, in Plati area, placing Turkish flag and pseudo-policemen, who also carry out patrols. It is an area 4 square kilometerswhich obviously cannot be left to the Turks. It is clear that the crisis will only subside when they leave.
At the same time, UNFICYP tries to treat the issue as a matter of incident prevention rather than regime change. Her approach has to do with her limited capabilities, but also with the fact that they don’t want a confrontation with her occupying power. It is noted that the Peacekeeping Force, the 2008, gave up outpost in the region, creating new data in relation to the control and effectiveness of its mission.
As is known, beyond Pyla, illegal movements by the occupying power are recorded in many places regionssuch as in Strovilia, Ledra Palas, Agios Dometios (in the English cemetery Wayne’s Keep and in “Maria’s house”), the area of Denia, Avlona, Pyla, Athianou and elsewhere. It is clear that the Turkish side does not accept the status of these areas. It is recalled that the dead zone, which covers 2.7% of the entire territory of Cyprus, is not territory that has been occupied by the Turkish occupying forces in July and August 1974. It is territory that has been granted by the Republic of Cyprus to the Peacekeeping Force as a safety zone between the military forces of both sides. OR UNFICYP has temporary control of the “neutral zone” to act as a deterrent.
Separate agreement
The occupying side, in relation to Pyla, based on the announcement of the so-called Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dated April 13, 2026, claims that the specific area of the dead zone is “TRNC territory”. The Turkish claim was made in response to a statement by UNFICYP. Furthermore, the occupying regime indicated to the Peacekeeping Force that it is “allowed to operate in our country (including occupied areas!) only as a gesture of goodwill… In this context, the need to establish with “our country” the model of relationship maintained by the UNFICYP with eGreek Cypriot side, at its base Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Such an arrangement should be concluded on a legal and equitable basis and in accordance with our longstanding demands on this matter.”
It is clear from the above, that the possibility is left hanging, at any time, to prohibit the circulation of UNFICYP at possessions. This constitutes pressure and acts as blackmail towards United Nations.
It is evident that the Turkish occupation side is putting pressure on the United Nations and especially UNFICYP to reach a separate agreement between the Force and the occupation regime. That is, to enter into an agreement with the form SOFA (A status of forces agreement). This issue is not current, but timeless. It is recalled that in a document to the United Nations, in the form of discussion points, submitted to January 31, 2019with an explanatory letter from the representative of the pseudo-state, the Turkish side argued that “the Turkish Cypriot side has repeatedly noted the need to conclude an official agreement/framework, which regulates and defines the relationship between UNFICYP and of our “Principles”. This could take the form of SOFA or other mutually acceptable form, as long as it is reached with her consent UNFICYP and the “Turkish Cypriot competent authorities”.
However, the Legal Service of United Nations in her note she states that the International Organization it can only enter into agreements with states. Therefore, the Turkish request cannot be satisfied for signature separate agreement between the occupying regime and the UNFICYP.
It is, therefore, obvious that possessive side with diplomatic means and pressures but also through power he tries to create news done but through them there should also be an upgrade of the occupying regime.
The administration of Nicosia
OR Republic of Cyprus leaves room for United Nations to handle the matter, but at the same time it also makes its own moves. A move made in the first days of the crisis, mobilized her UNFICYP but also the Turkish side. At the same time, it seems that various preventive measures are being considered, the implementation of which will incur costs on the occupier side.
Everything that is done on the Turkish side is clearly undermining the ongoing efforts to restart the negotiations. Causing crisis, violating the dead zone, occupying territoriesapparently the effort in the Cyprus problem is also difficult.
Holguin in New York
The United Nations, however, continues its efforts, based on the instructions given by the Secretary General, so that there is mobility and a return to the negotiation process. In this context, Personal Envoy of G.G. of the UN, Maria Angela Holguin, was last week in New York, for contacts. It is possible that Mrs. Holgin will come to Cyprus in the summer. Much will depend, however, on the ongoing discussions on MOUs between them two negotiators.
“Dry up” the coffers of the occupying regime,
financial “injections” from Turkey
The coffers of the occupying regime are in deficit and Turkey, as always, is in a hurry to fill it. History repeats itself as it is clear that with remittances from Turkey salaries are paid in possessions. In this period, however, it is clear that the financial problems they are bigger.
According to an article on the news website, “Kibris Postasi”, the journalist Levent Özadam, mentions among other things that, the payment of wages for this month achieved with money to be given by the State Bank of Turkey. He specifically notes that the “Minister of Finance” Özdemir Berova had visited Ankara exclusively for this purpose and that during his presence there he received the question “how long will this situation continue” and how recommendations were made to him to take measures to prevent something like this from happening again. It seems that with Ankara’s instructions the so-called cabinet of the occupier regime, he was engaged in issuing “property titles” and collecting money through this process. It seems so pending issuance of 8,000 “property titles”. Turkey makes suggestions to the occupying regime so that the pseudo-state has collections.
However, despite the remittances, some extraordinary and some recurring on a constant basis, on April 9, 2026, during a special ceremony in Ankara, the pseudo-prime minister, Unal Uster and the Vice President of Turkey, Cevdet Yılmaz, signed the “economic and fiscal cooperation agreement between the government of the Turkish Republic and the government of the Turkish Republic for the year 2026″. The agreement provides for the payment of financial aid to the pseudo-state in the amount of 25 billion Turkish liras, i.e. approx. 479 million euros. Ustel announced that “the financial protocol for 2026 covers infrastructure, energy and financial support issues.
However, with what has come to light, amounts will be allocated for her as well “real estate committee, for compensation payments in completed cases. Also, for the “theological school” in occupied Famagusta, for infrastructure but also in sectors safety related!
The protocol includes Turkey’s financial assistance to the occupying regime in order to operate the pseudo-state. In addition to this annual aid, Ankara also finances other activitiesalthough in the last period it makes strict suggestions to its residents for contemplation and financial planningwhich will generate revenue.
