The Government, addressing the international community in all circumstances, is trying to address the deadlocks and provocative plans of Turkey, which is methodically seeking the creation of two states and which is proceeding with illegal interventions in the enclosed city of Famagusta, Cabinet Secretary Theodosis Tsiolas said on Sunday at the annual memorial service for the fallen of the community of Agios Andronicus in Karpasia.
The memorial service was held at the Church of Agia Fotini, in the Colossus settlement.
In his memorial speech, Tsiolas, who represented the Government, said that "we live in a semi-inhabited country, which is still experiencing the devastating consequences of the tragic chain of events that led to the black summer of 1974."
"It is therefore a sacred obligation for all of us not only not to forget but to guide the younger generations properly, so that they know, understand and love the land and its history in order to build their future on solid foundations," he added.
St. Andronicus of Karpasia, he said, paid a heavy blood toll on the altar of debt and duty, since during the Turkish invasion "six great lads" of the community, with noble sentiments and spirit of self-sacrifice, generously offered their services to the stricken homeland, giving the utmost of their strength for the sake of a higher cause.
Four of them, Odysseus Ilias, Nikos Andreou Kyriakou, Michalis Paraschou and Panagiotis Kioti, were identified within the framework of the exhumation and identification of remains of the Cyprus Missing Persons' Committee, "and were buried with the gratitude of all accompanying them and with due honours."
But two heroes of the community, he added, Panagiotis Zachariou and Michalakis Koumi "still remain on the tragic list of our missing brothers and sisters for whom we pray today for a quick determination of their fate."
Mr. Tsiolas said that almost half a century later, Cyprus is still suffering the tragic consequences of the 1974 Turkish invasion.
The Government, he added, "has never ceased to demand a just and viable solution to our national problem, leading to the creation of a modern and functional state." A solution, he said, that is rooted in European principles and values and that safeguards the great good of peace.
The President of the Republic, he said, despite the challenges and obstacles, continues to express the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side to resume the dialogue from the point where it was terminated as a result of Turkey's refusal to accept elementary parameters set by the Secretary-General himself regarding the abolition of the anachronistic system of guarantees, interventionist rights, the permanent presence of an occupying army and respect for the implementation of human rights.
The Government, addressing the international community in all circumstances, is trying to address the deadlocks and provocative plans of Turkey, which is methodically seeking the creation of two States and which is proceeding with illegal interventions in the enclosed city of Famagusta, he added.
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