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- Ελληνικά
It is a special honour for me to be with you today to address the Conference organized by the Lyceum of Kykkos A', on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and the ongoing occupation of our country by Turkey. This student conference, which has already established itself as an institution, since it is being organized for the 16th time, causes satisfaction and optimism for everyone, especially if one considers the initiatives undertaken by the school's management and teachers for its conduct and the will of the children for its success, through their increased, meaningful and active participation in it.
The organization of the Conference is indicative of the broader activity undertaken by our teachers, seeking, with a high sense of responsibility, beyond the transmission of knowledge, the all-round education of students. Their love for their profession and the zeal they demonstrate in order to accomplish the high task of educating our children are decisive factors for the further improvement of education in our country. At the same time, our teachers inspire and push the student community to contribute creatively to the development of a healthy society and the building of world peace.
In this direction, the establishment of this Conference, which gives the opportunity to the students and to each and every participant to study in depth the targeted theme of the Conference, works in this direction. As its title suggests, this year's Conference addresses the open wound of the Turkish invasion, enabling everyone to delve into the known and unknown aspects related to the tragic events of 1974 and to reiterate our common will to put an end to this unacceptable situation.
Counting already 50 years since that black July 1974, the people of our homeland continue to count and mourn its tragic consequences: the forced displacement and refugeeism, the dead and the missing, the loss of our cultural and religious heritage, the alteration of the demographic character of our island and the flagrant violation of the basic human rights of its citizens. Consequences that have marked the modern history of our homeland and constitute its painful reality, determining, at the same time, our own responsibility and duty to fight for the liberation of our occupied territories.
The priority of all of us is the prevalence of justice in our land, through finding a workable and viable solution. What we seek, as the President of the Republic states, is for Cyprus to become a truly independent state, which will enable all its citizens to live and co-exist in security, peace and stability.
For our part, as the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, we continue to dynamically cultivate our goal of "I do not forget, I fight, I claim" as our debt to the new generation, the future of this country.
To achieve the above goal, learning from the mistakes and tragic events of the past, we must define our future through unanimity, unanimity and unity of action. A retrospective look at that black summer of 74 is imperative. To draw lessons in relation to the consequences of the civil strife of our people. To realize that it is only through unity that we can defend the rights and rights of our people and face the important challenges we have to deal with.
I will not go into further detail, since the targeted statements of the speakers and the experiential workshops accompanying the Conference will highlight its theme in the best possible way. Besides, the most important thing is the interest and passion shown by all of you, our teachers, students and pupils, for its conduct, characteristics that fill us with pride, but also with the certainty that the hearts of all of us will only "settle" when justice prevails, just as the title of the Conference defines.
I warmly congratulate the initiators, organizers and participants of the Conference and wish them every success in their work.
IP
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Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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