The anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau from Soviet troops has been established by the UN General Assembly as the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust. More than six million Jews were the tragic victims of the systematic and methodical brutality of the Nazi regime, which systematically turned racist hatred into a project of extermination of a people, which constitutes a crime against humanity.
Seventy-seven years after the end of the Second World War, humanity is again experiencing in various parts of the world phenomena of racist violence and racial hatred.
It is for this reason that all of us have a duty to become partakers of historical memory and knowledge, to turn a blind eye to all forms of extremism and violence, to fight hard and resist all forms of racism, intolerance and discrimination, and to highlight mutual respect and consensus as the only option. It is the duty of all of us to remain constantly vigilant in order to prevent the repetition of the horrors of the past.
The Cypriot and Jewish peoples, through their encounter over the centuries, have developed strong historical ties forged by faith in common principles and goals and have laid the foundations of the common vision of the two countries and of other countries in the region that share the same values and principles for peace, stability and prosperity in the turbulent region of the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Cyprus and Israel, from very early on as two democracies on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean with many common elements and interests, established diplomatic relations and in recent years both at the bilateral level and in the framework of the Greece-Cyprus-Israel trilateral mechanism have developed close relations and cooperation in a wide range of areas. I particularly emphasise the parliamentary dimension of the trilateral cooperation between Greece, Cyprus and Israel, which, as soon as epidemiological conditions permit, we will relaunch with a physical presence. This cooperation is of geostrategic importance and serves the common vision of peace, collective security, stability and prosperity and it is for this reason that we will continue to work for its further deepening and strengthening for the benefit of our peoples and the wider region.
On the occasion of today's anniversary, the House of Representatives is participating in the annual #WeRemember campaign of the World Jewish Congress and UNESCO with various activities, including lighting up the House building with the #WeRemember campaign logo, posting a message on the House website and posting on social media. You have been informed of this by email. I invite those colleagues who wish to participate in the campaign to post and/or report on social media with the #WeRemember message.
In closing, I invite you to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
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