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It is a great honour and a great thrill to be at the Municipal Museum of Ayia Napa, on a special evening dedicated to Famagusta. A day of remembrance for the place that was tested and continues to endure the consequences of the Turkish invasion of 1974, without breathing the fresh air of freedom. The reigning city of Evagoras, which resisted dozens of conquerors during its millennial history, continues for almost half a century to remain under the boot of the conqueror.
It is for this reason that events like today's are important. I would like to welcome the initiative of the Municipality of Famagusta and Ayia Napa to host, temporarily, in this space, the artistic treasures of the Famagusta Art Gallery that symbolize the emotional connection with the past of the city of Famagusta. These works of art, which were returned by the Turkish Cypriot side to their Greek Cypriot owners, rekindle the desire to return, giving the message that the will for a reunited homeland still exists. For 49 years since the Turkish invasion, our goal remains unchanged: freedom from illegal Turkish occupation and the achievement of a viable and workable solution within the framework of the United Nations. A solution that will reunite the island and our people and create conditions of peace and prosperity for all its legitimate inhabitants. Our will remains unwavering and absolutely sincere, despite the series of unacceptable actions of imposing a fait accompli on the ground by the Turkish side. Actions which, on the one hand, undermine the effort to revitalise the negotiations and, on the other hand, feed its intention to change the status quo in the enclave of Varosha.
The attempt to open and colonise the enclave of Varosha, and beyond, is a violation of international legitimacy, which has been condemned by the international community. The latest Security Council resolution on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force recognizes the gravity of the situation and stresses the need to avoid further unilateral action.
Turkey's attempt to usurp the property of Greek Cypriot residents is only part of its effort to create two states. This attempt to legitimize the achievements of the invasion will again fall on deaf ears.
Despite the insistence of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side on a "two-state" solution, and the undermining of initiatives aimed at the reunification of Cyprus and its people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike, we continue to move forward with unwavering action, because inaction on the Cyprus problem is neither a solution nor an option for the Christodoulides Government.
The Cyprus problem, ladies and gentlemen, is a European problem whose solution also concerns our European family. The initiative of the President of the Republic for a more active involvement of the EU in the efforts to solve it and to reunite our country has met with a positive response from his interlocutors.
We hope that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side will soon come to the negotiations within the framework of a positive agenda of mutual benefit, without provocations, tensions and fait accompli on the ground, as in Varosha.
At the same time, the issue of refugee policy remains an important parameter for us. The refugee world has borne the greatest pain and has shouldered a huge burden of the consequences of the Turkish invasion. And it is for this reason that our goal as a Government, until the resolution of the Cyprus problem, is to be able to support our refugees in the best possible way, through an approach that is as fair, comprehensive and equitable as possible.
It is in this context that we have made it a priority to resolve the long-standing problem of the unsuitability of refugee settlements, with the "KIZO" project, in an effort to ensure both safe and decent and sustainable accommodation. At the same time, we place high on our list the review of the criteria of the housing plans for displaced persons, as well as the subsidy of rents, with the aim of implementing revised ones within 2023, while we also proceed with the modernization of the management and disposal of Turkish Cypriot properties, in order to address the needs of our refugees with meritocracy, transparency and equality.
In closing, dear ones, I would again like to personally congratulate the Mayors of Ayia Napa and Famagusta, Christos Zannettou and Simos Ioannou, as well as the Municipal Councils of the Municipalities, for tonight's successful evening of remembrance and honour of the Queen, as well as all those who are here tonight.
I hope that this initiative will not have to become an institution, because soon the bell of returning to the smooth soil of our Famagusta will ring.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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