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- Ελληνικά
For the 13th year, the morning of July 11 is silent and mournful. We are all here to pay tribute to the 13 fallen heroic martyrs who died on that fateful morning. We are here to pay tribute to our heroes and, at the same time, for me, as President of the Republic of Cyprus, to look you in the eye and express the sincere apologies of the State for the errors and omissions that led to this tragedy.
I am here with you, among you and beside you, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, the people of Cyprus, to convey the sincere promise that the sacrifice of your own people has become the unchanging benchmark for the responsibility that those who make decisions affecting human lives must demonstrate.
The tragedy of 11 July 2011 was caused by a sequence of mistakes, actions and events that have one thing in common - we must be absolutely honest - the lack of care and concern that many of those at the highest levels of the administrative, military and political hierarchy ought to have shown. As a result of all this, the State, the State, has been irreparably exposed in the eyes of its citizens, in the eyes of all of you. But the point is to be proactive and to take measures to limit their consequences as much as possible. This should also be the guide to our actions. Establishing proper procedures, training and constant checks are the only way to minimise the chances of accidents and ensure, as far as possible, the safety of human life and the vital infrastructure of the state. At the same time, as a state we have an obligation to instill in our citizens, through actions and not words, a sense of safety, reliability and trust.
Respected relatives,
I know that words, any words, from anyone, are not enough to ease your pain, especially today when the memory returns even more vividly to that tragic day. But let me sincerely convey to you the assurance that as a State we are doing everything possible to ensure that the sacrifice of your loved ones serves as a beacon for our decisions. July 11, 2011 is the landmark for us to do all that is required so that we do not experience such a tragedy again.
The sacrifice of Andreas Ioannidis, Lambros Lambros, Kleanthis Kleanthous, Michalis Irakleous, Miltiades Christoforou, Christakis Christoforou, Anthony Charalambous, Andreas Papadopoulos, George Yiakoumis, Vassilis Krokos, Spyros Tantis, Panagiotis Theofilou, Adamos Adamou, is not only about you. It is about all of us. Their sacrifice, moreover, is a constant reminder of the duty we all have, especially those of us who have chosen to serve this people, to be careful, to be responsible, but above all to be accountable every day.
Fifty years after the tragedy of 1974, our country cannot afford to suffer losses in times of peace. The price is too high on all levels. That is why a sense of responsibility is not a minor matter. It is a prerequisite for those who hold public office and exercise power. But in addition to responsibility, every office requires a value system that puts empathy first.
(PM/EATH/NZ)
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