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- Ελληνικά
It is with great pleasure that I participate in the opening of the painting exhibition of my dear friend and accomplished Cypriot artist Umit Inatci, of whom we are very proud, entitled "World Spirit".
All of Umit's work stands for the values that he himself embraces as a highly sensitive soul, with several philosophical concerns about man, life and our world. Values and ideals that elevate human existence, such as solidarity, compassion, brotherhood.
The long-standing friendship that has developed between us since our time working together in London has grown on this basis and our common desire for the reunification of our country.
And without any exaggeration, I want to say that living and working with Umit I really got to know the Turkish Cypriot community, I learned to understand many facts, to understand the concerns, the worries, the aspirations, and thinking back to the beginning of my career as a diplomat, our friendship was unique for me.
As a loyal Cypriot, Umit, through his works of high artistic and aesthetic value with the particular style that characterizes them - we are looking at a new work of his - among many others, is paving the way for reconciliation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, because his work always has Cyprus as a point of reference.
You all know his work, his works are in so many countries, in Italy, in England, in America, in Iran, in Iraq, all over the world, and he is very well known for his activities within the Turkish Cypriot community.
Umit was the pioneer to return the keys of St. George of Exorhinos in occupied Famagusta and if it wasn't for Umit there would never have been this development, which was in 2014, where for the first time, in fact it was Epitaph Friday, this very important ceremony for Greek Cypriots took place.
But Umit had another activity very recently where there were results.
But Umit had another activity very recently where there were results. It was his action for many years to return works that were in Nicosia and other areas to their rightful owners. It was his work.
Friend Umit I want to thank you, it is a great honour to be here tonight and to thank you for all that you do for Cyprus.
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Then the President of the Republic addressed the Turkish Cypriot attendees in English.
Among other things, the President of the Republic said "I was born in December 1973 and grew up in Paphos. I was six months old in 1974.
And despite the fact that both my parents came from mixed villages, my mother from Geroskipou and my father from Houlou, I learned from them through their own experiences that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots lived together.
I never had the opportunity to experience and learn this for myself.
Sometimes the impression you have of something is completely different. Until I met Umit in London, when I was Consul General, and I realized that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are the same. It is this principle that has guided me since then, and now that I am the President of the Republic of Cyprus, in my efforts to reunite our country, to reunite the island."
(PM/NG)
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