As a minimum expression of deepest respect, I accepted the invitation to attend and address the political memorial of the late leader Vassos Lyssaridis.
Allow me, before any other reference, to warmly congratulate the Movement of Social Democrats E.D.E.K. and the Lyssarides Foundation for taking this initiative.
Vassos Lyssarides, through the course of life he consciously chose to follow, has succeeded in rightfully earning the universal appreciation and recognition of the entire political world and the people of our country, and not only.
As an ideological socialist, a front-line fighter, a pure and ardent patriot, he committed himself with absolute devotion to the service of his country, playing a leading role and taking the lead in the respective struggles for its freedom.
Influencing the birth and development of the Cypriot state, he subsequently linked his name to the most important events in the modern history of Cyprus, leaving his indelible mark on the political life of the country as one of its protagonists.
With the vision of a free and prosperous homeland guiding his political path, he passionately dedicated his life to the efforts for the resolution of the Cyprus problem, vigorously claiming, through personal and collective battles, the vindication of the martyred island of Megalos.
At the same time, he left a strong imprint as an active citizen on the international political scene, as a global citizen.
The education, deep humanitarian and democratic principles and values that inspired him dictated him to stand by every people fighting for freedom and national dignity.
Assessing the virtues of Vassos Lyssarides, it is not difficult to see that he was a man of deep empathy. A man who showed the deepest interest in his fellow man, but also in humanity as a whole.
Vassos Lyssarides the scientist, the doctor, by his actions gave the feeling that he did not choose medicine himself, but that medicine, as the science par excellence that concerns man, chose him.
And he honoured his Hippocratic Oath as few others have done, offering selflessly with science to the struggles of our people, to his fighters, his comrades-in-arms and to our suffering fellow citizens.
People who did not have a head bed found healing and comfort in the clinic of Vassos Lyssarides.
Vassos Lyssarides, with his leading figure, commanded respect and recognition. He was a political figure with all that implies. A leader born out of his struggles for freedom, democracy for the whole world.
An accomplished politician with a continuous presence on the benches of the House of Representatives and its President during the period 1985 -1991.
But if there is one thing we remember most vividly from Vassos Lyssarides, those of us who were his colleagues and those of us who were confronted with him in politics, it is his dialectical personality, his tremendous political speech, the documentation, the arguments that he shaped and emitted.
Being a man with a deep encyclopaedic and classical education, he managed to combine and highlight politics with his intellectual personality.
These two interconnected elements constituted for Vassos Lyssarides the definition of a complete statesman.
He not only knew about art, but also produced art himself; he did not only read, but wrote, conveying in verse his concern for the land and the people.
In his poems, as in his political activity, the sense of responsibility of the citizen, from whom he asked him to do what he ought to do for his country and its liberation, permeates.
He realizes that he may not have succeeded in stopping the catastrophe, but through the power of his lyrics and his words, he managed to strengthen the people's spirit and taught them not to surrender to oblivion.
With the loss of Vassos Lyssarides, a great historical circle of distinguished politicians who fought for liberation from the colonial yoke and built the Republic of Cyprus closes. What we have inherited today as the Cypriot edifice, we owe to this generation and has a strong imprint of the personality of the honorary, all-time President of the EPP.
With Vassos Lyssarides, we were in different parties. However, I want to confess with all sincerity that I have never, ever lacked the deepest respect for his personality.
I feel truly proud today because I had the honour as President of the Democratic Rally to honour him on behalf of the party for what he offered to our country.
A respect and appreciation stemming from his high sense of responsibility, his militant action in the struggles for freedom and democracy, the integrity and uprightness that have always distinguished him.
I cannot forget what Vassos Lyssarides always said, that even dead, he would not stop fighting for the liberation of our homeland.
Eternal will be the memory of the late leader Vassos Lyssarides.
(PM/MG)
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