The issue of missing persons is undoubtedly the most tragic aspect of the Cyprus problem and Turkey with its arrogant stance and denial to cooperate, leads to the perpetuation of the issue, Commissioner Photis Photiou has said.
Photiou who delivered a speech at a church memorial on Sunday, for the heroes of Troulloi, a village in Larnaka district, pointed out that it is unacceptable, forty three years after the Turkish invasion of the island, to still search for answers regarding the fate of missing persons.
He said that despite the problems and the hurdles by Ankara, we will continue our struggle in order to achieve the identification and return of the remains of missing individuals to their families and to end their ordeal.
Photiou also said that solving the Cyprus problem is our top priority and we work hard for the reunification of our homeland, the abolition of guarantees and the termination of the Turkish occupation.
Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Hundreds of Greek Cypriots went missing during the invasion, while scores of Turkish Cypriots went missing in the early 1960s and during the summer of 1974. The remains of many of them have been located, identified and returned to the next of kin for a decent burial. Many more are still missing and their fate is unaccounted for.
Last round of negotiations under the UN auspices failed to yield any results. Talks aim to reunite Cyprus under a federal roof.