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It is with great emotion that I am here today in Vavla, where on August 27, 1958, the hero of EOKA, Michalakis Paridis, was besieged in his hideout, in the house of his teacher Christos Karagiorgis, refused to surrender to the English colonialists and fell fighting, sending the message through his actions that: "Freedom fighters do not surrender, they win or die."
Before I proceed, allow me to warmly thank the organizers, the family and relatives of the hero, the Parade of Drosia Larnaca and the Community Councils of Anafotia and Vavla for their invitation, which was a great honour for me.
Charged with the heavy responsibility, honour and privilege of referring to the greatness and legacy of Michalakis Paridis' sacrifice, allow me to make a historical review of his sacrifice, looking back to the times of the ideals that led to the legend of EOKA, the most important struggle of Cypriot Hellenism.
Born in 1933 in Anafotia, Michalakis Paridis, the child of a large rural family, showed particular zeal for letters. Like the young people of the time, he was nurtured by the Greek-Christian ideals and joined the ranks of PEON and OXEN, the organizations that were at the forefront of the unionist demands of Cypriot Hellenism and from which the first fighters of EOKA were recruited. Thus he was initiated into the ranks of EOKA, even before the blessed day of 1 April 1955, setting as his main priority the freedom of his homeland, its self-determination and its union with Greece.
Paridis, in that legendary struggle, proved to be one of the most outstanding personalities, since he was distinguished for his fervent faith in Christ and the Motherland, his powerful and fascinating personality, his patriotism, bravery, intelligence, ingenuity and, during the struggle, his leadership qualities.
The beginning of the Struggle on April 1, 1955, found him as a Larnaca section leader and head of the "Aris" group, which, together with members of the "Kronos" group, carried out, among many other actions, the bombing of the Larnaca Courtroom. In the operation, Paridis was arrested along with his fellow fighters Stavros Poskotis, Giorgos Lykourgos, Xanthos Iakovidis and Iakovos Kaiserlidis and was taken to court, where he was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.
Two years later, in December 1957, he managed to escape from the Nicosia Hospital, where he had been taken for medical treatment, so that he could continue his actions.
Two years later, in December 1957, he managed to escape from the Nicosia Hospital, where he had been taken for medical treatment, so that he could continue his actions.
Two years later, in December 1957, he managed to escape from the Nicosia Hospital, where he had been taken for medical treatment, so that he could continue his actions. From the Aglantzia area, where he was initially transferred for a few days, he was forwarded to the Larnaca area, first to the village of Trulli, later to Anglistides and from there to a hideout in the area of Ayios Minas, finally ending up in Vavla, after Digenis assigned him the out-of-town sector of Larnaca. As section leader of the district, he managed to reorganize and organize the groups of the villages of the area and to receive the congratulations of the leadership of the struggle for his action and contribution.
On the morning of August 27, 1958, the English entered the village, and after long searches in houses and the school of the community, they managed to locate him, calling him to surrender.
On the morning of August 27, 1958, the English entered the village, and after long searches in houses and the school of the community, they managed to locate him, calling him to surrender. Michalakis Paridis, despite the fact that he was informed of the arrival of the English soldiers and Turkish auxiliaries in the area, ready and determined to pit his valor against them, refused to leave the village and decided to fight the last battle alone.
For 49 years, the tragic consequences of the ongoing Turkish occupation remain unchanged.
For 49 years, the tragic consequences of the ongoing Turkish occupation remain unchanged: Refugees, the missing, the trapped, the violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Cypriot people are the irrefutable evidence of the ongoing international lawlessness against Cyprus.
This cannot be our fate. It is not for such a homeland that Michalakis Paridis sacrificed himself. Our historical responsibility is nothing less than to restore historical continuity in our land and in this way to ensure the future of Cypriot Hellenism in this land. In the critical period we are going through, we are concentrating, on the basis of a specific plan, in order to resume the talks and achieve the end of the occupation, the reunification of our homeland, in order to free our homeland from the occupying troops, and to create conditions of peace and prospects for the future.
From the very first day I have pointed out that the only path that exists for us is the path of progress, cooperation and peace, the path of intensifying every effort to break the deadlock and to resume talks as soon as possible in order to achieve the longed-for liberation, the desired solution, the reunification of our country. That is why we have launched a major diplomatic effort, for the mutual benefit of all parties involved.
We are working to achieve developments that will turn the European citizens of Cyprus into first-class citizens and not second-class citizens, as they are today, since so many years later we are still deprived of basic human rights and basic freedoms in our own country. And it is in this very context that I believe that both the UN General Assembly in the second half of September and the European Council in October are of crucial, crucial importance for the effort and the prospect of resuming the talks. We are working intensively and methodically for a solution on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions, compatible with the principles and values of the EU and the acquis communautaire, a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation. A workable and viable solution that will finally make Cyprus a normal and functioning state. A state that allows all its legitimate citizens to live in conditions of prosperity, security, mutual respect and the application of human rights for all, without exception.
The division of our homeland as a result of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation is a huge anomaly in the heart of Europe and can in no way be the future of our homeland.
To achieve all that we envision, to achieve the lifting of the deadlock and the resumption of the talks that, yes, will lead us to the resolution of the Cyprus problem, the existence of a strong internal front is an absolute prerequisite. And yes, I want to express my absolute satisfaction with the discussion and the results of yesterday's meeting of the National Council, to welcome the positions taken which, among other things, send messages, both at home but especially abroad at a critical juncture for the Cyprus problem.
In this hour of national remembrance, in assessing the sacrifice of our heroes, the sacrifice of the heroic martyr Michalakis Paridis, we must also reflect on our own historical responsibilities and our debt to our homeland. Only in this way will we truly honour his memory.
Our moral imperative and tribute, both to Michalakis Paridis, who offered his 25 years as a yeast in the liberation epic, and to the other fighters of our homeland, is to stand with reverence in front of their line, to draw lessons from their sacrifice and, united, to claim the reunification of our homeland.
Eternal is his memory.
(PM/MB)
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