Despite Ankara's tactics, the problem of Cyprus is a problem of illegal invasion and continued occupation, President Nicos Anastasiades will continue to work towards the removal of this situation with a view to the just and functional reunification of our country, demanding the resumption of negotiations, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said on Sunday.
In his memorial speech at the national memorial service for the heroes of the liberation struggle of the EOKA 1955-1959 Michalakis Karoli and Andreas Demetriou, held at the Church of Panagia Chrysopantanassa in Paleochori, Mr. Noouris said that we remember the heroes who offered themselves as a sacrifice on the altar of the freedom of our Cyprus.
We remember the indomitable and unparalleled fighters of the legendary EOKA Michalakis Karoli and Andreas Demetriou who, through their sacrifice, glorified the Pantheon of the Immortal Fighters of our Nation, honouring our homeland. A sense of national responsibility and a sense of historical duty led us to this mystagogy, he said.
The memory and honour of our immortal heroes, he added, is the minimum tribute to those who gave their lives for the supreme good of freedom, justice and democracy.
Referring to the generation of 55, Mr. Nouris said that they wrote pages of unmatched heroism, self-sacrifice and national greatness, while with the liberation struggle, the Hellenism of Cyprus stands up before the English conqueror, with a longing for freedom and vindication.
Mr. Nouris said that the four-year anti-colonial struggle of Cypriot Hellenism, unfortunately, was not the last struggle of our homeland.
Mr. Nouris said that the four-year anti-colonial struggle of Cypriot Hellenism, unfortunately, was not the last struggle of our homeland.
Mr. Nouris said that the four-year anti-colonial struggle of Cypriot Hellenism, unfortunately, was not the last struggle of our homeland. Sixty-six years after their sacrifice, we continue to march in the international arena, claiming our legal and internationally guaranteed sovereign rights.
Despite the tactics of Ankara, he said, we reiterate in every direction that the Cyprus problem is a problem of illegal invasion and continued occupation, towards the removal of which President Anastasiades will continue to work towards the just and functional reunification of our homeland, demanding the resumption of negotiations.
Occupying Turkey clearly seems to be seeking the de facto partition and incorporation of half of our homeland, undermining efforts for a just solution to the Cyprus issue.
But even in this unfavourable environment, he noted, we are ready to take political initiatives towards the resumption of talks for the resolution of the Cyprus problem by proposing Confidence Building Measures.
We remain steadfastly committed to a just solution, within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions and the principles and values of the European Union, he said.
On the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, he said that Cyprus, which is still experiencing the consequences of the 74 Turkish invasion, cannot but stand firm on the principles of international law by unequivocally condemning Russia's invasion.
On the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, he said that Cyprus, which is still experiencing the consequences of the 74 Turkish invasion, cannot but stand firm on the principles of international law by unequivocally condemning Russia's invasion. This barbaric act of war violates every notion of democracy, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine, he added.
The symbol statue on top of Papoutsa, he added, is an expression of immense respect and appreciation to all mothers of Cyprus for their tenacious and selfless contribution to our liberation struggle of 55-59.
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