-
.
- Ελληνικά
It has already been 50 years, half a century, since the tragedy our country experienced in 1974 with the brutal invasion of the Turks and the occupation of a large part of our homeland. Fifty long years of refugees, 50 years of missing persons, 50 years of the division of the island, 50 years of the destruction of our cultural heritage, but at the same time 50 years of struggle and effort to solve the Cyprus problem.
The sirens will unfortunately sound again in a few days, as a chilling reminder of the devastation and destruction that happened in our land, but at the same time they will be a wake-up call of consciousness and memory so that we do not forget our obligation to all the dead, the missing and the refugees that we will never stop fighting for the freedom of our homeland.
The Turks are known to have been lying in wait for years to find an opportunity to carry out their expansionist plans. And unfortunately, the coup d'état of the Junta and its collaborators here opened the gates for Attila to achieve his goal of occupying half of Cyprus. Under the pretext of restoring law and order, he invaded, spread death and suffering and occupied and still illegally occupies 37% of our island. Dead, captured, missing, refugees, trapped: Horrific crimes that remain unpunished and victims still awaiting justice. The 15th of July marks the beginning of the suffering of our land.
Dear all,
With the Turkish invasion of 1974, thousands of refugees arrived in the hospitable community of Xylotympos. As soon as they arrived, they all opened their homes. They disposed of everything and supported them with much love and compassion.
The community of Xylotympos, which stood as a rock beside the uprooted, unfortunately also counted its own human losses during 1974. The ten heroes of Xylotympou, Zacharias Spyrou, Adamos Adamou, Andreas Sergiou, Antonis Polydorou, Georgios Demetriou, Michalis Michael, Pavlos Georgiou Pavlou, Pavlos Kyriakou Pavlou, Sotiris Georgiou and Christos Petrou will remain forever in our memory, to remind us of the heavy debt we owe to our homeland, which now counts half a century divided.
Friends,
Efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem since 1975 and since then have continued with many plans, suggestions and multiple approaches. Turkey and the pseudo-state, with various obstacles and pretexts as well as new demands, torpedo any attempt to resolve the problem. At the same time, the illegal regime is systematically altering the demographic character of our occupied areas, as well as destroying our cultural heritage. Diplomatic efforts are also being made to achieve recognition of the illegal regime.
But our people are not being intimidated, nor are they giving up their just struggle. That is why the motto "I do not forget" must remain the banner of every Greek in Cyprus. The role of education is important so that the new generations know the history of our homeland. Also, the memories of our occupied territories should be kept alive by learning the historical place names of our occupied homeland.
The responsibility of the elders is immense to pass on the desire and faith to return to our enslaved villages and cities to the new generations with their living testimonies.
At the same time, we must remind internationally that in Cyprus there is not a bicommunal problem, but a problem of invasion and occupation, illegal colonization and violation of human rights. We have an obligation to highlight the importance of finding a solution with the right content, thus demonstrating the seriousness of our side but at the same time the extreme nature of Turkey's positions.
Ladies and gentlemen,
This year's tragic 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus' accession to the European Union.
Cyprus' accession to the European Union in May 2004 was the culmination of persistent and long-lasting diplomatic manipulations and full coordination between Athens and Nicosia. It is undoubtedly the most important success, a historic milestone in modern Cypriot history, especially since the tragic invasion of 1974. The Republic of Cyprus, through its accession to the European Union, strengthens the defence of the rights of our people and its statehood.
As a full and equal member of the European Union, our country is a creative partner with active involvement, within its capabilities, in addressing the major challenges of our time. The Republic of Cyprus has proven in practice to the international community that, although small, it can play a substantial role in solving international problems, with the recent example of the creation of a humanitarian aid bridge to Gaza.
We therefore call on the European Union and the international community to take initiatives so that Cyprus ceases to be the only European State under occupation. Intensify and coordinate pressure on Turkey to respect the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Use their pilot and diplomatic influence on Turkey to put an end to its illegal methods and its attempt to create new deadlocks and return to the negotiating table with a view to a lasting comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem that meets the aspirations of the entire Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians, Maronites and Latinos.
Since the beginning of President Christodoulides' administration, his main priority remains the promotion of the settlement of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of Cyprus.
The President of the Republic has repeated several times his readiness to come to the negotiating table, stressing that the only solution to the Cyprus problem is the Bi-zonal Bicommunal Federation with political equality, as outlined in the UN resolutions.
In this context, the President of the Republic took practical steps towards creating a favourable climate for a return to the talks and his and the Republic of Cyprus' efforts continue despite the intransigent attitude of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side, which set conditions for a return to the negotiating table and promote the unacceptable demand for sovereign equality, which is, in essence, one and the same with the pursuit of a two-state solution.
Compatriots,
The division and partition of our homeland cannot be accepted. "Our borders are in Kyrenia" and we will never stop shouting it! We will never forget what tragically happened in our country in the summer of 74! We must never forget the treacherous coup of 15 July 1974 and the Turkish invasion, because a people that forgets its history is doomed to relive it. Therefore, we must keep the memory unquenched and strengthen our will - people and state - for the liberation and reunification of our country. And yes, we will "Karteroumen peran nigthan", tirelessly, until our homeland is free, each one of us putting his own little stone in this effort.
In this homeland every citizen can enjoy his fundamental rights. This is our duty and our promise to our heroes, our dead, our refugees, our missing and our imprisoned.
Eternal be the memory of the fallen of 1974 who sacrificed their lives for our homeland. We assure their families and all the Cypriot people that we will continue the struggle for the freedom of our Cyprus.
(ΔΚ)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
