Establishment of 20 July as the World Day of Remembrance for the 1974 Turkish Invasion and Continuing Occupation of Cyprus

OPEN LETTER

To the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis To the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides

Subject: Establishment of 20 July as the World Day of Remembrance for the 1974 Turkish Invasion and Continuing Occupation of Cyprus

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, Dear Mr. President,

We respectfully call upon the Governments of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus to establish and lead an international initiative seeking the designation of 20 July as the World Day of Remembrance for the 1974 Turkish Invasion and Continuing Occupation of Cyprus.

On 20 July 1974, Turkey launched a military invasion of Cyprus. On that same day, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 353, calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to foreign military intervention in Cyprus. On 16 August 1974, Resolution 360 formally recorded the Security Council’s disapproval of the unilateral military actions undertaken against the Republic of Cyprus.

More than five decades later, the consequences of the events of 1974 remain unresolved. Approximately 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus remains outside the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. Thousands of people remain displaced, families continue to seek answers concerning missing relatives, and communities remain separated by a continuing division of the island.

The Republic of Cyprus is a Member State of the European Union in its entirety, while the application of the EU acquis is suspended in areas where the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control.

This is not simply a matter of history. It remains an unresolved international issue involving sovereignty, territorial integrity, human rights, property rights, displacement, missing persons and the lives of successive generations.

Why 20 July Should Be Commemorated

The designation of 20 July as a World Day of Remembrance would ensure that the events of 1974 and their continuing humanitarian and political consequences remain visible to the international community.

  • honour those who lost their lives, were displaced, or were separated from their homes and communities;
  • remember the missing and reinforce international efforts to establish their fate and whereabouts;
  • preserve the historical record for future generations;
  • reaffirm respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus;
  • draw continued international attention to the unresolved division of the island; and
  • encourage sustained international engagement toward a comprehensive, peaceful and lasting settlement.

Peace Cannot Be Built Upon Forgetting

This initiative is not intended to promote hatred, division or hostility toward any people. On the contrary, remembrance can serve peace.

Acknowledging suffering and preserving historical memory are essential foundations for genuine reconciliation. Remembering does not prevent dialogue; it can give dialogue a foundation of truth, dignity, accountability and respect for human rights.

The objective is not permanent confrontation. The objective is a free, peaceful and reunited Cyprus, achieved through a comprehensive settlement consistent with the relevant United Nations framework and with full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Republic of Cyprus.

The United Nations has for decades supported efforts toward a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. A World Day of Remembrance would complement those efforts by ensuring that the passage of time does not turn an unresolved situation into a forgotten one.

A Clear Responsibility for Greece and Cyprus

Greece and the Republic of Cyprus are uniquely positioned to bring this proposal before the international community.

Working together, they can present 20 July to the United Nations, the European Union and partner governments as a day dedicated not merely to remembrance, but to human dignity, international law, human rights, peace and reconciliation.

We therefore respectfully call upon your Governments:

  1. To officially support the establishment of 20 July as the World Day of Remembrance for the 1974 Turkish Invasion and Continuing Occupation of Cyprus;
  2. To coordinate a joint diplomatic initiative seeking support from EU Member States, UN Member States and relevant international organizations;
  3. To submit and actively support a proposal before the United Nations General Assembly for the designation of 20 July as the World Day of Remembrance;
  4. To establish an official annual commemoration in Greece and Cyprus, as well as through their diplomatic missions and representations abroad; and
  5. To ensure meaningful participation by victims and their families, displaced persons, families of missing persons, civil society organizations, historians, educators and younger generations.

This request is not about creating another symbolic anniversary without purpose or consequence.

It is a call for a permanent international reminder that the events of 1974 and the division of Cyprus remain unresolved and that the humanitarian consequences continue to affect individuals, families and communities.

Let 20 July become the day when the world remembers the victims, recognizes the continuing consequences of the 1974 invasion and division, and renews its commitment to a just, peaceful and lasting reunification of Cyprus.

We Remember.
Justice. Freedom.
Reunification

20 JULY

WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THE 1974 TURKISH INVASION AND CONTINUING OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS

Respectfully,

Achilles Ligeras
Commercial Real Estate and Business Developer New York