The state's commitment to the sensitive and humanitarian issue of the missing persons should be taken for granted, as well as the ongoing efforts being made to ascertain the fate of the total of 776 missing persons who remain on the sad list, in addition to those who have been confirmed as fallen but whose remains have not been located, said DG of the Ministry of Interior, Costas Constantinou at the funeral of the identified missing person of the 1963-64 period, Andreas Ioannidis.
The funeral took place today at the Church of Archangel Michael, in Agios Ioannis Pitsilia. He said that time is running relentlessly with the painful and devastating consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation still remaining visible and unchanging for our country. "Today, 48 years later, we are still living in a divided homeland and struggling for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem," he said.
The government, he continued, is making every possible effort with prudence and goodwill, with the aim of resuming a constructive dialogue, on the basis of confidence-building measures, through which the concerns of both sides will be discussed, in order to achieve progress and the prospect of a solution to our national problem.
A solution, he added, which is based on European principles and values and which ensures the great good of peace. Unfortunately, every day we are witnessing a horrific war on European soil, which is unfolding in front of our screens, leaving behind untold destruction, human losses, refugees and of course untold pain, fear, anguish and insecurity. Constantine, from the very first moment, as a country that experienced and continues to experience such sad events, reacted with empathy, condemning the Russian invasion, which is a clear violation of international law, expressing its solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people.
"The entire European Union, to which we belong as an equal member, is making efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement that will end the bloodshed and pave the way for negotiations."
The use of diplomatic channels and an end to any aggressive action, he continued, is the only feasible solution to restore stability and security. "And this is recognized by the entire political culture of humanity, and in particular by Europe, which is united in seeking to preserve peace in the face of new challenges and manifestations of barbarism."
In this context, he said, our own reactions are also activated, aimed primarily at defending our state sovereignty. "In addition, we consider particularly important the development of strategic alliances on the part of the Government in various sectors, which highlight the enhanced geopolitical role that Cyprus can play and the fact that it can be a factor of stability in the key region of the Eastern Mediterranean."
Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Asia and the Americas and with the Turkish Cypriot leader, in the presence of UN officials, he stressed the need to restart the process for the settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation, as envisaged by the UN parameters and Security Council resolutions.
He also stressed, he said, that the creation of a positive climate between the parties involved is essential, as well as the creation of conditions that will put an end to any illegal actions both in the maritime area and in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, particularly in the enclosed area of Famagusta.
He also said that the President of the Republic, addressing Mr Tatar, referred extensively to the difficult and constantly changing problem of migratory flows observed in the free areas, as well as the instrumentalisation of these flows in order to serve Turkey's political objectives. "Unfortunately, once again, unacceptable positions were observed and the firm and intransigent attitude of the Turkish Cypriot side was recorded, which clashes with the principles and values to which we remain fully committed."
We will not cease for a moment to seek the prevalence of human rights in our homeland and the cultivation of conditions of peaceful coexistence, he said. "We recognize our imposed duty not to let oblivion, ignorance and untruth win. We also recognize that today's realities, within and beyond our borders, make the message of solidarity and peace more urgent than ever."
This is dictated by our historical conscience and due respect for those who have sacrificed over time in our national struggles, he said, saying that these include six other children of the Community of St. John of Pitsilia, in addition to Andreas Ioannidis, who lost their lives or are missing, five during the 1974 invasion and two in the 1964 bicommunal riots.
Source: CNA
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