Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis has described the candidacy of Turkish diplomat Feridun Sinirlioglu for the position of United Nations Secretary-General as a ‘political paradox and a profound institutional contradiction’, noting that Turkey’s decision to put forward a candidate had been expected.
Asked by the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) to comment on this development, Letymbiotis said the candidacy confirmed Turkey’s hypocrisy, which, he noted, the President of the Republic had highlighted from the podium of the UN General Assembly.
‘It is indeed a paradox that a country which, for 52 years, has continued to illegally occupy 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, a UN member state, and disregard Security Council resolutions, should seek to lead the very organisation founded to uphold international peace, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states,’ he said.
The Spokesman also referred to revisionism, aggression and violations of international law, the UN Charter and the Law of the Sea, as well as military involvement in regional conflicts and violations of the rule of law and human rights.
These elements, he said, ‘constitute a policy that directly runs counter to the principles and mission of the Organisation’.
‘You cannot seek to lead the United Nations while refusing to respect the principles on which it is founded. You cannot claim to represent international law while continuing to violate it,’ he stressed.
Referring to the selection process for the next UN Secretary-General, Letymbiotis said it was at an advanced stage and involved particular institutional and diplomatic considerations.
He added that, in assessing the candidates, the Security Council would take due account both of each candidate’s profile, qualifications and track record and of the position of the country putting forward their candidacy towards the UN Charter, international law and the decisions of the Security Council itself.
It is noted that Greece is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2025-2026 term and holds the Council’s presidency for October 2026.