Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Christodoulides, has sent the message that Cyprus continues its course with the final destination being the freedom, unity and territorial integrity of the island.
In a speech at the church of Faneromeni in Nicosia on the occasion of the anniversaries of the 25th March 1821 Greek Independence Day and 1st April 1955 that marked the start of the uprising to end the British colonial rule in Cyprus, Christodoulides said that these two struggles were successful because the aim was common for all Greeks.
Praising the two national anniversaries, the Foreign Minister said that “we continue the effort for an honourable, dignified and viable solution to the Cyprus problem”, adding that what we have been taught from the past is that we cannot compromise with the occupation.
On the contrary, he added, we are deeply concerned by the fact that nearly 44 years have gone by since Cyprus has been experiencing the repercussions of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation.
“We remain firm to continue efforts to end the occupation and reunite our homeland”, Christodoulides said, adding that it is our obligation to put an end to this unacceptable situation, an end to the occupation which will rid Cyprus of guarantees, foreign troops and foreign dependencies and will secure the inalienable human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots.
The fight, he added, will end only when the island is reunited and “all occupation troops withdraw. When the people of Cyprus can co-exist in conditions of security for a common course for prosperity and development”.
It is our conviction, he added, that Cyprus can become again, in its entirety, from Paphos to Apostolos Andreas and from Famagusta to Kyrenia, a place for peace, welfare, stability and security, that will offer protection and equal prospects to benefit all lawful inhabitants of the island and at the same time be beneficial for Eastern Mediterranean and Europe.
The FM said impractical games of apportioning responsibility are not part of our priorities, adding that it is well known who continue with their unacceptable behaviour and create a negative climate and unstable conditions.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third.