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With our thoughts turning to the dramatic days of the brutal uprooting of July 1974, with memories still fresh from the tragic loss of our loved ones and with the desire in our souls unquenched, we honour this year, 50 years later, all those who fought and defended the freedom and legitimacy of the Republic of Cyprus.
We are here tonight in the Square of the government settlement of Agios Eleftherios, which temporarily houses the lives of dozens of our fellow citizens, who for half a century remain far from the land that gave birth to and nurtured them. The symbolic name of Peace Square reminds us of our responsibility to continue our struggle until we fulfill our debt to the heroic fallen of 1974, until the settlements housing displaced persons no longer exist, until we are vindicated and live in a Cyprus of peace and democracy.
Despite the adverse conditions and the provocative rhetoric of the two states that the Turkish side methodically and systematically promotes, the struggle to end the occupation and reunify our homeland remains the top priority for the Government of Nicos Christodoulides. We must place the Cyprus problem in its true dimension and recognise it as a problem of invasion and continued occupation. The present state of affairs cannot be the solution to the Cyprus problem nor the future of our country and our children.
We remain committed to the agreed framework for a solution, to International and European Law, and as a State we use all means at our disposal and, through diplomatic channels, we demand the resumption of dialogue to find a comprehensive, viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem, which guarantees the fundamental rights and freedoms of all legal residents of Cyprus. The need to end the occupation, return the refugees to their homeland, determine the fate of the last missing person and restore the human rights and freedoms of all Cypriots is imperative. We envision a modern, European, reunited state, a state where all legal residents will coexist in conditions of progress, creation, security and peace.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Until the final settlement of the Cyprus problem, and simultaneously with our moves to resume negotiations, we have a historic duty to intensify our efforts to inform and raise awareness at home and abroad about the Cyprus problem. In this direction, a series of actions, events and TV and radio broadcasts planned by the Cyprus Radio Foundation throughout this year, culminating in the months of July and August.
Tonight's concert of remembrance and honour, the photo exhibition with images from our favourite villages and the screening of RIK's archive material are part of the integrated programme of actions and are a small sample of the richness of the Cyprus Radio Foundation.
Tonight's concert of remembrance and honour, the photo exhibition with images from our favourite villages and the screening of RIK's archive material are part of the integrated programme of actions and are a small sample of the richness of the Cyprus Radio Foundation. RIK played a leading role in informing citizens during the tragic days of 1974 and has since been upgraded to become a multidimensional information provider, contributing to the preservation of memory and the historical reality of our country. On behalf of the State, I express my thanks for your valuable contribution to the correct and objective information of citizens in relation to the aspects of the Cyprus problem.
I must also express my sincere thanks, dear Mayor, to the services and staff of the new Municipality of Latsion-Gerios for hosting today's event and for your excellent cooperation with RIK. Besides, one cannot forget the high sense of solidarity that characterizes your citizens. A characteristic that was evident in those tragic days of 1974, when the residents of the municipality opened their homes to welcome the hundreds of refugees who forcibly abandoned their ancestral homes and sought refuge in the area, sympathizing with the pain and drama they experienced.
In conclusion, I convey the President's warm congratulations to the Municipality of Latsion-Yeri and the Cyprus Radio Foundation for their initiative to organise this moving event, with the hope that this will be the last year that we meet in the refugee camp.
Thank you for your attention.
(MKE/AFF)
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