Compatriots,
On the occasion of the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord, I would like to express my warmest wishes to each and every one of you for personal health and family happiness.
At the same time, I wish to express from the depths of my heart the message of the Resurrection to reach our homeland as well.
What has been recorded since the Russian invasion of Ukraine reopens our wounds and makes it even more urgent that we stand united and continue the struggle for the prevalence of justice and peace.
Friends,
It is with sincere feelings of friendship that I address our Turkish Cypriot fellow citizens tonight.
Fellow Turkish Cypriots,
This homeland is yours and ours. For this homeland blood was shed, for this country we hurt, we shed tears, sometimes together and sometimes separately. The pain has always been the same for everyone.
And it is this pain that determines how much people are alike and equal.
How much the mutual respect of everyone's rights is the only foundation for coexistence, co-creation for lasting prosperity and peace.
What the war in Ukraine catastrophically records demonstrates how fragile peace is when the interests of the powerful violate the principles of international law.
I believe the time has come for our love of our common homeland to allow us to redress the injustice imposed on us by separation.
Both communities and all those involved in the Cyprus problem will only benefit if, abandoning unattainable goals, we work consciously and sincerely to build a state that does not fall short of the principles and values of the other states of the European Union.
The basis for a solution has been agreed and recorded in dozens of United Nations resolutions.
What is required is the political will, genuine political will and joint effort to establish a state that respects the equality and human rights of every Cypriot European citizen, that is at the same time responsive to the concerns of both communities, but also ensures its functionality and full and complete independence.
On behalf of the Greek Cypriot side, I once again declare our readiness to work with determination to achieve lasting peace and stable prosperity for all.
Compatriots,
My extensive reference to the maximum of the problems we are experiencing for the 48th year was unavoidable.
This, however, does not distract me from the other trials that the Cypriot people have faced and are facing.
Therefore, I would like to send a message of hope and optimism, a message based on the determination of the Government, but especially on your own strengths, on the sense of survival that distinguishes us through the philanthropy, hard work, perseverance and tenacity that distinguishes our people.
And my reference is not accidental, if we consider the crises we have gone through during the life of the Republic of Cyprus and what we had to face four years after independence when there was an attempt to dismantle the state.
In 1974, when the Republic of Cyprus suffered its greatest blow with the invasion and occupation of a third of its territory and the subsequent devastating consequences.
Despite this, the Republic of Cyprus not only survived but also managed to become a full member of the European Union, remaining the only internationally recognised state.
At the same time, it became a pillar of stability and peace, demonstrating the geostrategic role it can play in the region.
More recent examples, which add to what characterises our people, were the effective and successful response to the risk of sovereign default in 2013.
We managed not only to reverse the negative effects, but also to exit the memorandum, achieving growth rates that were the highest in the Eurozone.
In 2020 we faced another test.
The pandemic crisis, with unprecedented consequences for health, the economy and society.
Once again, as a result of targeted government measures, whether these concerned the health or economic sectors, but especially thanks to the superhuman efforts of the frontline heroes, as they have rightly been called, the advice of the scientific team, and the discipline and patience we have shown as a people, we are on the path to a definitive exit from this crisis as well.
Today, unfortunately, as a result of the war in Ukraine, we are facing new challenges, with economic and social consequences at a global level.
What is of course the priority is to end the bloodshed and the devastating consequences for the Ukrainian people.
At the same time, however, not ignoring that the consequences of the war will inevitably affect our country, we are determined, in cooperation with the political forces and social partners, to take those measures that will help to mitigate and finally address this new unpredictable crisis.
Fellow countrymen and women,
Tonight's message does not lend itself to an account of the government's work.
However, as I enter the last months of my presidential term, I consider it absolutely necessary to address the political forces and call on them to join forces.
Our goal is to achieve the disbursement and use of the billions of euros that will be generated as a result of the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
Billions that, based on the "Cyprus - Tomorrow" programme, will contribute to the further modernisation of the country, with mature projects, policies and reforms that are so much needed by the country and its citizens.
Projects and policies that have no ideological orientations or party colour.
Fellow countrymen and women,
The experiences of recent years have confirmed the great potential we have as a country.
I have no doubt that we will succeed again.
Therefore, in closing, I would like to repeat my message of optimism and wish peace in the world and in our country.
Happy Resurrection.
(PM/EC)
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