With assertive realism and a clear plan and strategy, we will exhaust every avenue of negotiation, free from fear or illusions, in order to bring an end to the occupation, said the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, today, in his commemorative address at the annual national memorial service for the heroes Ionas Nikolaou and Kyriakos Kolokasis, held at the Holy Church of Saint Minas in Geri.
The following is the full text of the President of the Republic’s commemorative address:
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
It is with great honor and pride that we have gathered today at the Church of Saint Minas here in Geri, to honor the memory of two men who wrote, with their blood, the most glorious pages of modern Cypriot history. To honor Ionas Nikolaou and Kyriakos Kolokasis, two of the fighters in the glorious EOKA Liberation Struggle, two heroes who sacrificed their lives for the self-evident and non-negotiable right to Freedom and Self-Determination.
And it is a fact that there is no greater or more significant act than dying for one’s homeland, to sacrifice one’s life for one’s fellow human beings, for one’s homeland, for a better tomorrow, and for one’s ideals and values. At the same time, it is our very least obligation to pay tribute to those who defied fear, disregarded the consequences, and dared to take on history, their national and social duty.
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Such figures, such patriots—these were the heroes we honor and commemorate today. Ionas Nikolaou and Kyriakos Kolokasis are no ordinary heroes of modern Cypriot history. They are not merely our compatriots who were content to take up arms and throw themselves into the purest struggle in this country, the national liberation struggle against British rule. The heroes we honor today did something even greater and nobler, something that places them in a truly unique category of fighters and heroes of the EOKA struggle.
It was August 1956. Ionas Nikolaou—the young man with a talent for painting and an active role in student events—and Kyriakos Kolokasis —the fighter for survival and freedom who participated in attacks and bombings of British targets—were already members of EOKA and belonged to the local armed group “Geraki,” here in Geri.
Polykarpos Giorkatzis was a prisoner at the time and was to be transferred to Nicosia General Hospital. The organization decided to assign the “Geraki” group this very important mission to free Giorkatzis. Due to the extreme danger and high risk involved, participation in the mission could not be mandatory but had to be voluntary. In essence, it was one of the most daring and perilous missions of the EOKA struggle, and undertaking it required the participants to be fully aware of the facts and the dangers.
And yet. Without a second thought, with unwavering self-confidence and trust in their abilities, Ionas Nikolaou and Kyriakos Kolokasis, along with some of their fellow fighters, volunteered to undertake the mission. Fully aware of the danger and the slim chances of success, and with the support and contributions of other comrades, the fighters whose memory we honor today took up their battle positions. Unfortunately, they were spotted early on, and the initial plans were thwarted. During the exchange of gunfire in the hospital corridors, Kyriakos Kolokasis was killed instantly, while Ionas Nikolaou died after first firing his last bullet and then throwing his own revolver at the British.
The operation, however, was a success, as Polykarpos Giorkatzis ultimately managed to escape through the bed of the Pedias River. It is worth noting—and this has its own special significance—that during the skirmish, Sergeant Leonard Demon, the executioner of the first heroes hanged in the EOKA struggle, Michalakis Karaolis and Andreas Dimitriou.
The Community of Geri, however, is also proud of its other sons and daughters who gloriously and honorably shed their blood for their homeland, sons who fought, made the ultimate sacrifice, and whose fate remains unknown to this day.
Kyriakos Kakoullis, who in 1964 voluntarily enlisted in the special police forces and fell heroically in battle in the village of Kazivera in Morphou.
Andreas Koukoumas and Makis Pamboris, who, during the second phase of the Turkish invasion of 1974, as reservists in the 305th Mobilization Battalion, were left to face the fierce attack by Turkish invaders in Mia Milia and have been missing ever since.
Kostakis Loizou, who breathed his last in 1968 while serving in the National Guard.
All of them honored their hometown and offered the most precious thing they had to their homeland.
The two EOKA fighters, Ionas Nikolaou and Kyriakos Kolokasis, along with all the heroes of our country’s modern history, have taught us all lessons in patriotism, self-sacrifice, fighting spirit, perseverance, and determination—lessons in unyielding struggle—demonstrating in practice how to keep our hope and optimism alive in the face of every national challenge. They reminded us of the heroic figures of history, who did not retreat or falter in the face of overwhelming odds and dire predictions.
The message of sacrifice from all our heroes is timeless; it is more relevant today than ever before. They stand as a striking example of perseverance in continuing our struggle for the liberation and reunification of our homeland, for overcoming the dead ends, the problems, and the obstacles we must face in order to reach the long-cherished goal of liberation, freedom from the hardships of occupation, and the reunification of our homeland.
The developments of recent months, which culminated in the visit to Cyprus by the United Nations Secretary-General and the European Commission’s Special Representative for the Cyprus Issue, validate the strategy we have been pursuing since the very first day we assumed governance of the country, aimed at resuming negotiations on the basis of the agreed framework, from the point at which they were suspended in Crans-Montana—yes, with respect for the negotiating acquis—and on the basis of the principles, values, and law of the EU. And without wishing to sugarcoat the situation—despite the problems, challenges, and difficulties we face— the results so far—and let’s consider where we were in March 2023—allow us to be cautiously optimistic that, yes, it is possible to cover the last mile that will lead us to the end of the occupation.
The goal is to achieve a functional and sustainable solution that will guarantee all the lawful citizens of this land the right to live, work, and create in conditions of peace, security, and prosperity, just like all European citizens.
At this critical juncture, with the challenges we face, the utmost unity is required; we need solidarity and cooperation. The future of our country and our children transcends any disagreements and differing viewpoints, which are, of course, legitimate and to be expected.
Looking ahead to the future of our homeland, however, and in the major effort to further strengthen all the pillars of the Republic of Cyprus, we need everyone to take this seriously; responsibility, a clear strategy, coordination, and above all, unity—in practice, within our country. Populism and petty politics have no place in times of national need and in the struggle to achieve national goals.
With assertive realism and a clear plan and strategy, we will exhaust every avenue of negotiation, free from fear or illusions. We draw strength from the struggles of our people and, guided by the shining example of our heroes’ sacrifice, we move forward with the conviction that there is no other choice but liberation, freedom from the shackles of occupation, and, yes, I believe this is achievable.
Ionas Nikolaou, Kyriakos Kolokasis, and all the heroes of the Geri community have brought us here today not only to commemorate them and pay them the tribute they deserve. They have brought us here to remind us of the path of duty toward a free homeland, from Apostolos Andreas to Tillyria, and from Kyrenia and Famagusta to Limassol.
May their memory live on forever.
