The Turkish occupation cannot be perpetuated, said Minister of Defence, Vasilis Palmas, adding that accepting this distorted situation incurs risks.
Palmas, in a eulogy he delivered at the memorial service for the EOKA liberation struggle hero Michalaki Savva on Sunday at the Church of Panagia Chryseleousa in Akaki, emphasised that “the current situation in our homeland, with the ongoing Turkish occupation, is becoming dangerous and cannot constitute the future we desire and strive for the people and future generations of Cyprus”, noting that “the Turkish occupation cannot be perpetuated.”
“Despite any difficulties”, he continued, “we must realize that accepting this distorted situation, inertia, acceptance of the status quo, division, rekindling of passions, and assigning blame lead nowhere; on the contrary, they bring more dangers”.
“We must, with unity, harmony, and determination, continue our efforts to achieve our goal, which is the liberation and reunification of our homeland”, the Minister added.
Palmas said “we are fighting with all our might in this direction, in order to achieve the long-desired solution to the Cyprus problem, to offer our people and our children a homeland free from occupying troops and foreign guarantees, which will look to the future with optimism and allow its lawful residents to coexist in conditions of security, equality, equal rights, progress, and prosperity”, he stated.
“We owe this to future generations. This is what the sacrifice of Michalaki Savva and our other heroes demands of us,” he said. Praising the EOKA fighters and reflecting on the life and journey of Savva, the Minister of Defence said “today, almost seven decades since the beginning of the wonderful struggle of EOKA, drawing lessons from the sacrifice of Michalaki Savva and all our heroes, we must collectively, with unity and solidarity, rise to the occasion and face modern challenges”.
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: Defence Ministers: Cyprus-Greece pillars of security in the region
Source: CNA
