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It is with great emotion, pride and honour that I feel as President of the Republic of Cyprus that the Parade Committee has decided to dedicate this year's magnificent parade on the anniversary of the Greek War of Independence of 1821 to the struggle of our martyred homeland, our Cyprus, for freedom and vindication.
It is also a great honor for me to be invited to address tonight's event, saluting the dynamic, energetic and loyal to our culture, history and values Greek Diaspora.
Greeks,
These days, the Diaspora of Greater New York commemorates the legendary epic of the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Empire. It is not at all trivial to remind each time that 1821 is a milestone not only in Greek history but also in the history of the whole of Europe. The decision of the ragtag, for 400 years, Greeks to rise up, resist and fight against the powerful and numerous Ottoman army, shook and thrilled all of Europe and became a reference point.
The national uprising came directly from the soul of the enslaved nation. It was a struggle that began to fester outside metropolitan Greece, as the example of the great visionary of freedom, King Feraios, shows; in the Greek communities abroad, where the cultivation of Greek enlightenment and the flourishing of philhellenism had preceded it.
It is true that the soul of the Greeks was kept alive and steadfast, among other things, thanks to the zeal and the secret struggle of humble priests and monks, who taught Greek children letters, religion and history in the effort for national and religious survival. The case of the national hero and isapostle, the martyr monk Cosmas the Aetolian, the "enlightener of the slaves", who conquered Turkish-occupied Greece by preaching the word of God to the enslaved rayads, contributing to the national and spiritual awakening of the nation.
The exploits of the chieftains and heroes of the Revolution became legends and their names are included in the profound volumes with the names of the heroically fallen and struggling of the Nation. Their names stand next to those of the great warriors of antiquity, of Hellenistic times, of Byzantium, of our modern and contemporary history to remind us always of the unbreakable historical continuity of the Nation.
Theodoros Kolokotronis, Makriyannis, Nikitaras, Odysseus Androutsos, Marcos Botsaris, Bouboulina and so many others, countless and great, are immortal examples of heroism and sacrificial service to the homeland. Right next to the name of the great and worthy Governor of Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias.
Dear friends,
Greece has always been the desire and the longing of the Greeks of the diaspora, of Greeks everywhere. So too, our homeland could never remain uninvolved in the national calls. We carry with feelings of inexhaustible pride the fact that Cyprus holds the first place among all Greeks of the diaspora in terms of participation in national struggles. It is also characteristic that the struggle of the Cypriots of 1955-59, against British colonialism and with the aim of unification with Greece, was fundamentally linked to the "battle for faith and country" of 21.
Today, the Republic of Cyprus, always having the historical national struggles as a model and beacon-guide, declares its presence in every effort, in every struggle for the vindication of our land, until the end of the occupation and the reunification of Cyprus.
Especially this year, with the completion of half a century since the Turkish invasion of 1974, our struggle takes on additional importance and dynamism.
We must work in every way to break the deadlock, to resume the talks, to reactivate the peace process. Our tireless efforts and our concerted handling, in direct communication and uninterrupted contact with the Greek Government, have resulted in restarting the interest of the international community in the Cyprus problem, achieving the appointment of a personal envoy of the UN Secretary General.
The solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as outlined in the UN resolutions, the convergences recorded to date and the European acquis constitute the sole basis and pillars of our efforts. On the other hand, the unfolding crisis in our immediate neighbourhood, in the Middle East and the war in Gaza, have repositioned Cyprus on the international chessboard. We have received, with a sense of duty and responsibility, the credit from the international community and through the mouth of the President of the United States for the great initiative of the Republic of Cyprus to create a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, under the name "Amalthea".
Ladies and gentlemen,
50 years after the events of the 1974 Turkish invasion, we have a duty to regroup our forces and respond to the challenges of the times and the demands of the duty and obligation entrusted to us by the state. We have a duty to carry the message of the urgent need for freedom and restoration of human rights of all Cypriots as far and as decisively as we can.
This is why the decision of the Parade Committee to dedicate this year's parade to our struggle against the 50 years of occupation of half of Cyprus by the Turkish invader is a striking proof not only of our common historical memory, but also of our common commitment to the struggle for the freedom of Cyprus.
This is why the decision of the Parade Committee to dedicate this year's parade to our struggle against the 50 years of occupation of half of Cyprus by the Turkish invader is a striking proof not only of our common historical memory, but also of our common commitment to the struggle for freedom of Cyprus.
I am therefore delighted that tomorrow, Sunday, the expatriate community will take to the streets of Manhattan, joining their voices and conveying to America the theme of the parade, making it clear that "50 years of illegal occupation - the dream of a free Cyprus will never die."
I have had the opportunity to be with you in various capacities. I know first-hand the uninterrupted struggles and tireless efforts you have been carrying out for more than 80 years.
I therefore thank you from the bottom of my heart for the uninterrupted struggles you have been carrying out for more than 80 years and for your invaluable contribution to your country. Both I personally and the entire Cypriot people feel grateful for your valuable work.
In conclusion, I convey my warmest wishes for health, strength and success in your work for the benefit of the interests of the Diaspora and Hellenism in general.
Thank you very much.
(Sap)
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