Fifty years on, our unwavering objective remains the search for a viable and workable solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the agreed framework and the negotiating acquis, from the point at which they were interrupted in the summer of 2017 in Crans-Montana, with respect to European principles and values, Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou said on Sunday, in his address on behalf of the President of the Republic at the naming ceremony of the “Panayiota Nicolaou” hall at the Primary School of Kapedes.
He added that the President of the Republic has conveyed to the UN Secretary-General his readiness to implement what was agreed at the New York informal dinner, namely to participate in an informal extended meeting to explore the possibilities of resuming negotiations, as well as to meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader in Nicosia to consider the possibility of opening new crossing points.
“We look forward to further actions by the United Nations, we support the efforts of the Secretary-General and we are investing in the initiatives he is taking. After all, it is following our own actions that we see any movement on the Cyprus problem. The United Nations, the institutions and Cyprus’ partners in the European Union, all the key actors, are convinced of our side’s intentions and of our sincere efforts to put the Cyprus problem on the negotiating track,” he added.
“What is at stake for us is the transformation of the Republic of Cyprus into a state that offers all its legitimate citizens the opportunity to live and create in security and prosperity. Despite the difficulties and obstacles, we remain committed to the great effort to see our country free of an occupying army, free and united. We are working methodically, together with the Republic of Cyprus’ partners and strategic associates, in the deepest conviction that the wall of occupation is not impenetrable. And we will do everything humanly possible to ensure that the sun of justice finally rises over our country”, Antoniou stressed.
Referring to the initiative to name the Kapedes Primary School hall after Panayiota Nicolaou, the Deputy Government Spokesperson said it belongs to the Unaccompanied Children Hosted in Greece during the period 1974-1979.
He also noted that all the stories of the unaccompanied children of 1974 highlight “the greatness of solidarity, the richness of humaneness and the unbreakable bonds between Cyprus and Greece”.
According to Antoniou, a total of 456 children aged between 6 and 17 years old travelled unaccompanied to the Greek prefecture of Ilia and were accommodated in homes, orphanages and other structures for minors, adding that “little Panayiota was the only one who did not return then, or rather she was the only one who never returned alive. Now her remains rest in the grave of her parents, here in beautiful Kapedes”.
He also made a special reference to the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Athena Michaelidou, since, as he said, on the Ministry’s initiative, the stories of the unaccompanied children of 1974 are being conveyed to students in schools in Cyprus, so that the younger generation can learn about this tragic aspect of the Cypriot tragedy.
“But the praise belongs to the protagonists of this story, the Unaccompanied Children of 1974, for the work they do, at personal cost and with pain of soul, to communicate the history of our country. The State is by their side and the Government supports their efforts. It is our duty to keep the torch of our struggle, the beacon of historical truth and the candle of those who have perished, burning. These light our way to the future” Antoniou concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Also read: Youth Parliament: Christodoulides optimistic about a solution
Source: CNA/KA/AGK/2024