Cyprus has been split since 1974 when Turkish forces invaded and occupied the island’s northern third in response to a military coup sponsored by the Greek junta in power at the time.

Only Ankara recognizes the selfproclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and tensions simmer between the two sides.

The majority-Greek speaking

south accuses the north of sending migrants across the Green Line and says it now receives the highest number of first-time asylum seekers of any EU member country.

The interior ministry in its statement charged that Turkey, by sending illegal immigrants through the occupied north “systematically instrumentalizes the migration issue against Cyprus.”

Francis on Thursday bemoaned “the terrible laceration” of Cyprus while also urging greater unity in Europe, instead of nationalism and “walls of fear,” as the continent faces an influx of migrants.