Turkey ignores every concept of international law, human rights and geography, thus dynamiting its relations with Greece and continues its unlawful actions in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone while at the same time it shows its real and expansionist intentions in Famagusta and the Aegean, Minister of Defense Savvas Angelides has said.
In his address at the national memorial service in honour of Gregoris Afxentiou, one of the heroes of the EOKA struggle 1955-1959 to liberate Cyprus from British colonial rule, held in Larnaka district, the Minister said that the tragedy Greek Cypriots continue to face along with escalating Turkish challenges in the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus are a reminder that our country and Hellenism as a whole are going though important historic and political moments.
He stressed that it is time for the people to put aside their arguments and realize that it is only through unity and cooperation that the freedom of our country can be achieved and Turkish provocation, aggression and intolerance can be addressed.
He stressed the need to move united towards a long-standing solution to the Cyprus problem and the reunification of our homeland.
Defence Minister expressed the firm and non-negotiable position of the President of the Republic for the resumption of talks from the point they stopped in Crans Montana with the aim of achieving a lasting solution which will put an end to the occupation and colonization and abolish the anachronistic system of guarantees, invasive rights and the presence of foreign troops on the island.
Our firm intention, he concluded, is the return of Famagusta to its legal residents, noting that any intervention by Turkey is unacceptable.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.
