Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and his government will stand by occupied town Morphou citizens, Council of Ministers Secretary Theodosis Tsiolas has said. A delegation comprising representatives of Morphou Municipal Council and organizations, handed over to Tsiolas, at the Presidential palace, a resolution on the occasion of the 39th anniversary of the occupation of the town of Morphou by the Turkish troops, which invaded the island in 1974. Receiving the resolution on the President’s behalf, Tsiolas noted that the President and the government as whole are doing their outmost for a solution despite the multiple problems the economy of the country is faced with. Both the President of the Republic and the Council of Ministers will stand by you, he pledged.
In statements, she made leaving the Presidential Palace Cypriot MEP Antigoni Papadopoulou send a message that Morphou refugees will continue the struggle to return to their town and will fight for their rights both locally and internationally. She also commemorated those who perished during the invasion and those missing.
Referring to 2013 as the European Year of Citizens she spoke of the freedom to move freely, to live and to work everywhere within the EU, noting that Morphou residents seek to exercise that right within their own country.
Morphou residents proceeded to hand over their resolution to the House of Representatives where they were received, on behalf of the House President Yiannakis Omirou, by MP Sophocles Fittis. Receiving the resolution Fittis said that the House distributes it not only to Cypriot MPs, but also to EU and many other parliaments. We believe, he said, that all countries can have a say as far as the Cyprus issue is concerned and not just the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. He also warned against Greek Cypriots selling off their properties in the occupied areas, expressing the point of view that in the end this will be used in efforts on the part of Turkey to enhance the status of the illegal regime in the occupied areas.
Fittis further pointed out that constant awareness campaigns on the Cyprus issue are a necessity. On his part, Morphou Mayor Charalambos Pittas said the resolution asks for an end of the illegal occupation of the town, the usurpation of land and the desecration and destruction of cultural heritage. We ask, he noted, for a just and viable solution to our national problem as soon as possible.
He further said that despite the fact that Morphou residents wish for a solution as soon as possible, they are interested in a solution to the benefit of all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins, which will reunify the country and its people. Repeated UN-led rounds of peace talks have so far failed to bring about a negotiated settlement that would reunite Cyprus. Talks are expected to resume between the two Cypriot communities in autumn. –
President will stand by Morphou residents, says government official
