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- Ελληνικά
It is with deep emotion that I am here with you today, representing the President of the Republic, to honour the memory of our heroes who soaked the soil of our martyred homeland with their blood in the black summer of 1974.
Today we honour two young lads who, at the call of their country, turned to the sacred duty of defending democracy, peace and freedom. The heroes of the Community of Statu-Agios Fotiou, took the lead against the traitorous coup and against the brutal Turkish invasion that followed, as genuine children of their community, which has always been present and a pioneer in the struggles of our people.
Philip Kritiotis was born in the Community of Statu, on September 1, 1955. After graduating from primary school, he specialised in the profession of car mechanic. In 1973 he joined the National Guard and served his military service based in Lakatameia. On 12 July 1974 he was in Paphos on regular leave, but with the outbreak of the coup d'état he immediately rushed to support the legitimate state. Together with other Paphos resistance fighters he boarded a bus to Limassol, with the intention of reporting to his unit to fight for the suppression of the coup. On 16 July he was arrested by EOKA B coup plotters in the area of Zakaki and together with three other fighters he was executed in cold blood.
Kostakis Savvidis was born in Polis Chrysochous, on 27 September 1955. After graduating from Primary and Secondary Education, he studied at the Nicosia Hotel School, from which he successfully graduated in the specialty of cooking. In 1974 he served in the National Guard, where he was selected and trained as a reserve officer. During the second phase of the Turkish invasion Kostakis Savvidis fell heroically fighting while fighting to defend the homeland against the Turkish conqueror, on the heights of Aglantzia, on 16 August 1974. He was buried in a mass grave in the military cemetery of Lakatameia.
He was honorably appointed in 1994 by the Council of Ministers to the rank of Lieutenant Commander Reserve.
On 8 October 2000 his remains were transferred and buried in Stato-Agios Fotios, after being identified by DNA.
The sacrifice of Philip and Kostakis is a constant reminder to all of us not to forget our obligation to continue the struggle until the final vindication of our semi-occupied homeland.
The sacrifice of Philip and Kostakis is a constant reminder to all of us not to forget our obligation to continue the struggle until the final vindication of our semi-occupied homeland.
The sacrifice of Philip and Kostakis is a constant reminder to all of us not to forget our obligation to continue the struggle until the final vindication of our semi-occupied homeland.
In times that continue to be difficult, we need to highlight our heroic role models, because this is how we pass on to new generations the visions, ideals, values and lessons of militancy and courage.
50 years after the Turkish invasion and occupation of our island, our goal is the liberation of our homeland, without occupying armies and invasive rights of other countries, with guaranteed human rights and the basic freedoms of all legitimate inhabitants.
Because 50 years is a long time, because 50 years we have been experiencing the trauma of an open wound, of an unacceptable state of affairs.
Because 50 years is a long time, because 50 years we have been experiencing the trauma of an open wound, of an unacceptable state of affairs. A situation that left behind 37% of Cyprus' territory illegally occupied by the invading forces, that left behind the violent uprooting of our refugees from their ancestral homes, which left so many families of missing persons to keep the hope alive that the fate of their loved ones will be determined, which left our interned people to remain, despite the pressures and difficulties, in their own land, guarding their own watchtowers until the day of liberation.
Turkish intransigence has continued since 1974 to violate every principle of law and to proceed with the colonization of our island, to disrespect the basic freedoms and fundamental rights of the legal inhabitants of the island, to sell off our cultural heritage and to destroy our churches.
Despite the fact that Turkey has over time refused to act with goodwill and a spirit of cooperation, we have no choice but to continue with vigour and determination to claim the rights of our homeland. That is why we will continue to work hard to create the prospects for the resumption of meaningful talks. And this is reflected in all the efforts made by President Christodoulides and the Republic of Cyprus in this direction. Reiterating at every opportunity his readiness to come to the negotiating table and to start the talks from the point where they left off in Crans Montana, he is working with determination to end the current unacceptable occupation status quo, always with the aim of seeking a solution to the Cyprus problem, always on the basis of the agreed framework and on the basis of European principles and values.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are fighting for a solution that ends the occupation and colonisation, for a workable and viable solution that reunites the people and the land.
A solution that will free Cyprus from foreign troops and foreign dependencies and restore and safeguard the inalienable human rights and basic freedoms of all Cypriots to live in a free homeland where only its legitimate inhabitants, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins, will decide their future.
I assure you that we will never give up the struggle for the reunification of our homeland. Our commitment to the goal of resolving the Cyprus problem is the best memorial for our heroes.
We have an obligation to honour their sacrifice with full awareness of our debt to the history of their land.
Honor and glory to the heroes who gave their lives for freedom and democracy.
(EK)
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