We must all stand united and show consensus to be able to carry on the struggle in order to terminate the Turkish invasion, President Nicos Anastasiades said in a written statement issued on Friday on the occasion of the 1974 coup d` etat and the subsequent Turkish invasion of the island. On 15th July 1974, the Greek military junta, then ruling Greece, toppled the democratically elected President of Cyprus, the late Archbishop Makarios III. The coup provided Turkey with a pretext to launch an invasion against the defenceless island.
Anastasiades in his written statement pledged that he will continue to work tirelessly to achieve the reunification of the island as soon as possible.
He pointed out that today, which marks the 42nd anniversary of the events which unfolded on the island and led to its division and occupation by Turkey, our memory turns back to the coup against the lawful government of Archbishop Makarios.
Today, he added, we honour those who lost their lives defending the democracy and freedom.
President Anastasiades said that we should intensify our struggle to end the occupation and find an agreed and just solution to the Cyprus problem, which will restore the unity of our country and its people and which will fully respect the human rights and European values and principles.
Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in Un-backed negotiations with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof.
At 0820 local time (0520 GMT), sirens sounded to remind people of the time the coup d`etat unfolded. A number of events condemning the coup d`etat and the subsequent Turkish invasion are taking place in the capital and in the southern government controlled areas of the Republic.
The 56-seat House of Representatives is holding a special session to denounce the coup and the Turkish invasion and honour those who sacrificed their life to defend democracy and their country. A memorial service took place in the morning, in the presence of the President of the House, political party leaders, government officials and other dignitaries.