It is indeed with great pleasure that I accepted the honorary invitation to welcome the presentation of the book, by my friend Giannakis Homer, "Log".
It is a special honour that the former President of the Hellenic Republic, His Excellency Prokopis Pavlopoulos, whom I warmly welcome to Cyprus for the umpteenth time, is also present at today's event.
In his book, Yannakis Omirou records, as the title suggests, his own personal testimony of everything he lived through. He testifies with courage his view on the great events of an era.
Yannakis Omirou was present and a protagonist in the events and that is why his personal testimony is part of history.
From the pages of his book, people and events that contributed to the shaping of our modern history, and shaped the policies that were followed, march through the pages of his book.
With boldness and courage, he testifies to everything he lived through.
With boldness and courage, he testifies to everything he lived through.
With boldness and courage, he testifies to everything he lived through.
From his student days to the present day.
The imprint of the EOKA struggle on his soul, his involvement in the student movement in Athens.
His participation in the resistance against the coup, his acquaintance with the late Andreas Christodoulides, whom he honours with a special chapter, his membership and his course in the EDEK. For his activity close to the late Vassos Lyssarides, his ministerialization as well as his tenure as Speaker of the Parliament.
Yannakis Omirou writes as he was politically active and lives.
Without seeking self-promotion, highlighting with modesty and great modesty, facts and arguments.
He judges and reveals with only the criterion of historical truth as recorded by the facts.
He judges and reveals with only the criterion of historical truth as recorded by the facts.
He judges and reveals with only the criterion of historical truth as recorded by the facts.
This is a valuable testimony as my friend Giannakis was himself an active politician, a leader who determined not only the course of his own political area, the EDEK, but also influenced the political life of our country more broadly.
I will refrain from going into details about the content of the book, which will be done thoroughly by the professor and friend Mr. Georgis with his approaches.
However, what I would like to focus on is the consistency and dedication with which Yannakis Omirou served the country.
His book is an additional contribution to what he did for his country.
And whether one agrees or disagrees with his political beliefs or decisions, one must admit that his contribution and active presence in political events, as recorded in the pages of his book, is significant. We have had a common path since 1981 when we were both first elected to the House of Representatives. Our different party identities have never been an obstacle to cooperation at all levels in order to serve the common cause, the common good.
And these common struggles, as well as our contrasts and debates, entitle me to a personal testimony that can only confess to the high sense of responsibility, and to the good humor that has always distinguished him.
He deserves, among other things, his thoroughly conscious decision to resign rather than retain the post of Minister of Defence, when he considered that the handling and cancellation of the arrival of the S300s was contrary to his own positions and conscience.
As the author himself points out in his book: "Every record of testimony is a useful contribution to the necessary collective reflection on the actions of the past, but above all for charting a future course, redemptive for the people and the country."
He also underlines that: "The tormented course of the Cypriot people through lion's pits and stone pits, their sufferings and sacrifices call for action, dictate initiatives and efforts, with collectivity, national understanding and unanimity, for redemption and the shaping of a promising future".
And indeed, if history teaches us anything, it is that to division we attribute the lost homelands and to unity we credit its glorious pages.
Despite any different approaches, the goal is one and common: the liberation and reunification of our homeland and its freedom from the occupying army.
A goal that has been and remains the highest priority for every patriot.
And I want to assure you, given the opportunity, that while and as long as I hold the office that the people have entrusted to me, I will use all my strength to achieve what is the common goal of all.
I want to stress that our struggle is about finding a commonly accepted solution, a solution that will create a truly independent state, a state without dependencies, without systems of anachronistic guarantees, a state that respects the rights of all, a state that, being a member of the EU, has nothing to worry about. On the contrary, through coexistence, symbiosis and cooperation we can ensure its prosperity and its future.
Dear Giannakis, with the writing and publication of your book "Logging", you are absolutely achieving the goal you set.
To make your own experiences and knowledge a source of knowledge and creative reflection for everyone.
(PM/SX)
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