Former MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek has sent a letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, arguing that the recent initiative by Cypriot MEPs to create a memorial inside the European Parliament building does not contribute to reconciliation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, nor to the reunification of the island. Kızılyürek highlights that the proposal implies the memorial would be dedicated solely to Greek Cypriot victims of the Cyprus tragedy.
“However,” he points out, “there were victims and missing persons even before 1974, and the vast majority of these were Turkish Cypriots.”
Kızılyürek reminds Metsola of her own frequent statements regarding the Cyprus issue, where she emphasises that “the European Union cannot be considered united as long as Cyprus remains divided.” He says he fully shares this conviction, adding that the ongoing division of a member state is incompatible with the very principles on which the EU, a project of peace and reconciliation, was founded.
He adds that without a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, neither Turkish Cypriots nor Greek Cypriots can achieve lasting peace and security. “A divided Cyprus,” he notes, “also constitutes an obstacle to regional stability and peace.”
For these reasons, Kızılyürek stresses that it is the duty of all parties, Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, the EU, and Turkey, to continue, with determination and goodwill, efforts toward the reunification and reconciliation of Cyprus. He notes that Turkey, which has significant influence in the peace process, should be encouraged to contribute constructively, while emphasizing that the greatest responsibility lies with the Cypriots themselves.
He stresses that as a people who have suffered from decades of ethnic conflict, coups, and war, Cypriots must find their own path toward peace and mutual understanding. The history of the EU’s founding, he adds, should serve as a guiding example.
“European peoples, having endured the devastation caused by nationalism, ethnic hatred, and fascism, managed to build peace and unity,” he writes. “We, the Cypriots, must draw inspiration from this history, abandon nationalism, hostility, and hate speech, and follow the path of reconciliation. In these efforts, we hope and expect to see the European Union firmly supporting us.”
Kızılyürek also addresses EU memory policy, noting that he had the honor of drafting the report on European Historical Consciousness, approved by a large majority in 2024. The main goal of such policies, he emphasises, is to promote reconciliation by learning lessons from past mistakes. One-sided assignment of blame serves neither justice for victims nor a peaceful future. “Had European peoples insisted on mutual accusations, the EU itself would never have been created.”
“Peace in Cyprus cannot be achieved through unilateral accusations,” he adds. It is a shared duty of both communities to acknowledge past mistakes and crimes, and to honor the memory of all victims, regardless of community. He expresses confidence that Metsola will act to promote this spirit of reconciliation.
The letter
Madam President,
As you are well aware, Cyprus regrettably remains a divided country within the European Union.
The continuation of this situation is not only contrary to international law but also inconsistent with the fundamental values of humanity and of the European Union itself.
As you have often rightly stated, “European Union cannot be considered united as long as Cyprus remains divided.”
I fully share this conviction. The continued division of a Member State is incompatible with the very principles upon which the European Union, a project of peace and reconciliation, was founded.
Moreover, without a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question, neither the Turkish Cypriots nor the Greek Cypriots can achieve lasting peace and security.
A divided Cyprus also constitutes an impediment to regional stability and peace.
For all these reasons, it is incumbent upon all parties, the Turkish Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots, the European Union, and indeed Turkey, to persist, with determination and goodwill, in working towards the reunification and reconciliation of Cyprus.
Turkey, which holds significant influence in the Cyprus peace process, must be encouraged to make a genuine and constructive contribution to this goal.
Nevertheless, the greatest responsibility rests with us, the Cypriots.
As a people who have suffered from decades of ethnic conflict, coup d’état, and war, we must find our own path towards peace and mutual understanding.
The founding history of the European Union should serve, and indeed must serve, as a guiding light in this endeavour.
The peoples of Europe, having endured the disasters brought about by nationalism, ethnic hatred, and fascism, succeeded in building peace and unity.
We, the Cypriots, must draw inspiration from this history, abandon nationalism, enmity, and hate speech, and embrace the path of reconciliation.
In these efforts, we hope and expect to see the European Union standing firmly by our side.
Regrettably, this is not always the case.
The recent initiative by Cypriot Members of the European Parliament to establish a memorial within the Parliament building, as approved by the Budget Committee, unfortunately does not contribute to reconciliation between the two communities or to the reunification of the island.
The proposal in question implies that the memorial would be dedicated solely to the Greek Cypriot victims of the Cyprus tragedy, as stated: “a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Turkish invasion of the Republic of Cyprus, including missing persons.”
However, the reality is that there were also victims and missing persons before 1974, and the vast majority of those pre-1974 victims and missing persons were Turkish Cypriots.
Madam President,
I am well acquainted with the European Union’s memory policy. Indeed, I had the honour of drafting the report on European Historical Consciousness, which was adopted by a large majority in the Plenary in 2024.
The principal aim of memory policies is to foster reconciliation by drawing lessons from the mistakes of the past.
A one-sided blame game serves neither justice for the victims nor the cause of a peaceful future.
Had the peoples of Europe persisted in mutual recrimination, the European Union itself would never have come into being.
Peace in Cyprus cannot be achieved through unilateral accusations.
It is the shared duty of both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to acknowledge and learn from the mistakes and crimes of the past, and to commemorate all the victims of the Cyprus tragedy, irrespective of their community.
I trust that you will do everything within your power to promote this spirit of reconciliation, and I extend to you my highest consideration and respect.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Niyazi Kızılyürek
Former Member of the European Parliament