Diplomatic steps have been taking place following revelations by Phileleftheros regarding actions taken by the occupying administration against Greek Cypriot students attending schools in Rizokarpaso.
The move to obstruct the education of the enclaved children was reported both to the UN and the EU.
The complaints made by the Minister of Education days ago regarding the situation prevailing in schools and the prohibitions imposed by the Turkish Cypriot side provoked the anger of the occupying administration.
On Monday, officials of the administration began inspecting everything in the three enclaved schools.
Inspection of books, notebooks, and classrooms was carried out in a kindergarten, primary, and secondary school. There was also an inspection of computers and generally all teaching material, while teachers underwent intense questioning, answering a series of questions posed by officials of the occupying administration.
Following these actions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the peacekeeping force in Cyprus, and diplomatic mobilization took place.
The diplomatic missions of the Republic made complaints both at the level of the European Union and at the level of the Council of Europe. In addition, information was provided to the United Nations in New York and at the level of the five permanent members of the Security Council.
In Nicosia, the Minister of Education, Athena Michailidou, noted that since last May, the occupying administration has banned “any support to the schools of Rizokarpaso.”
Michailidou pointed out that the latest actions and activities of the occupation regime “simply confirm what we said, what we discussed at the level of the European Parliament.”
“I personally was invited to the European Parliament with the help of our MEPs, to present this aspect of the Cypriot problem. This aspect of the drama we have been experiencing here for 50 years this year,” she said.
Yesterday, she added, “it was confirmed that things are very serious, and we should all understand that since last May, any support to the schools of Rizokarpaso has been banned, neither visits by inspectors are allowed, nor training of teachers in their schools, nor repairs to their buildings or any other kind of support.”
The government spokesman stated that all necessary actions will be taken as soon as possible regarding the incident in the schools of Rizokarpaso.
Asked about the actions in Rizokarpaso and the reaction of the Government, he said, “The actions of the Government were immediate from the beginning, we have been informed, all the evidence is being investigated, and we will take all necessary actions as soon as possible.”
Asked if there is any news about the issue of Pyla, the Spokesman replied negatively, adding that “we are in contact with the peacekeeping force on every occasion, and we reiterate what we have said from the beginning that the full implementation of all the provisions of the Agreement is to the benefit of both communities.”
Asked whether the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative Maria Angela HolguÃn Cuéllar has referred to the Agreement during her contacts, the Spokesman said that her contacts were more to be informed about the positions of the two sides.
“We expect on March 11, which will be the first meeting with the President to further discuss the issues. It is an issue that the President of the Republic, personally, has conveyed and has repeatedly stated for the benefit that will come from the implementation of the Agreement,” he said.
Asked moreover if HolguÃn will travel to other European cities besides London, the Spokesman said it is something that was in her thoughts, but noted, her schedule is officially announced by the United Nations.
“However, within the framework of her contacts, this intention existed on her part,” he said.
MEP Costas Mavrides, in his complaint, spoke of “Hitlerian methods in Rizokarpaso.” Denouncing the new incident to the European Commission, the Cypriot MEP indicated that the Commission “must not show tolerance for such serious issues.” He calls on the Commission to publicly condemn the actions of the occupying administration as a minimum sign of solidarity with European students, parents, and educators.
