We do not accept the occupation, We do not accept the continuation of the unacceptable current situation, said the Speaker of the House of Representatives Anita Demetriou in her commemorative speech at the annual national memorial of the hero of EOKA, teacher Fotis Pitta. Ms Demetriou stressed that "we are not allowed to remain inactive in the face of the expansionist Turkish plans and the two-state solution that Ankara and the occupying leadership are promoting in coordination."
Ms Demetriou said that "We remain committed to our firm goal, for a reunited and free Cyprus. We seek a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, based on EU principles and values, United Nations resolutions and respect for the human rights of all residents of the island. We have no right to give up or move away from our goal, despite Turkish intransigence, ever increasing aggressive rhetoric and blatant blackmail by Ankara."
"As the legitimate heirs of a heroic past and our glorious long-standing civilization, it becomes imperative to safeguard our national identity and prevent Turkish expansionist plans as well as new fait accompli. With unity and unanimity we must seize every opportunity and every international forum to tirelessly promote the rights of our people, demanding restoration of the injustice and the consequences of the crime committed against our Cyprus", he said.
In her greeting, President of PDOED Myria Vassiliou said that "The life, action and death of the Heroic Teacher become torches that light the way for all of us. The lesson of his self-sacrifice for the holy and sacred, becomes an inspiration to all of us who serve Education and have the heavy task of educating the children of this semi-deserted land. Such brilliant role models are needed by our society, our teachers and most of all our children," he noted.
"Today we honour the heroic teacher Fotis Pitta and at the same time we renew the promise and commitment of the teaching world that the values and ideals for which he fought and sacrificed are still being cultivated in our schools today."
"We honour today the heroic teacher Fotis Pitta and at the same time we renew the promise and commitment of the teaching world that the values and ideals for which he fought and sacrificed are still being cultivated in our schools today. Our students will be nurtured with his ideals, the ideals of Freedom and Justice."
The memorial service was presided over by Archimandrite Augustine Karas, Archimandrite of the Holy Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta.
A trisagion was held in memory of the hero at his bust, a one-minute silence was observed and an altar was lit, while the students and teachers of the Famagusta Music School and the Kokkinochoria Fotis Pitta High School presented an artistic program dedicated to the heroic teacher. This was followed by the laying of wreaths and contributions to support the EOKA Fighters' Memorial. The event at the Bust of the Hero was concluded with the National Anthem.
Source: CNA
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