Determining the fate of the missing persons remains an unfulfilled obligation of the State, said on Sunday the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides, on Sunday in his commemorative address on behalf of the President of the Republic of Cyprus at the annual National Memorial Service for the heroes and martyrs of Troullos.
He added that the Government’s top priority remains a fair, sustainable, and workable solution to the Cyprus problem, in accordance with international and European law, and that it is working toward this goal to transform diplomatic momentum into a substantive resumption of negotiations.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“Artifacts” of division
According to Mr. Ioannidis, the people of Troulloi played a dynamic role in the liberation struggle of 1955–1959, with young people from the village joining EOKA, PEKA, and ANE, while behind the fighters stood an entire community that supported the Struggle.
“The summer of 1974 opened new wounds. The coup against the Republic and the illegal Turkish invasion that followed left an indelible mark on our homeland. Troullos once again paid a heavy price,” he continued.
He added that in late August 1974, Turks entered Troullos, ransacked the community, and arrested residents who had remained there; six people, then between the ages of 50 and 70, went missing; their remains were found in 2012 in a well near Arsos, and their identification followed, while Kostas Gabriel and Andreas Michael remain missing.
“Determining the fate of your loved ones remains an unfulfilled obligation of the State. We acknowledge the work of the Investigative Committee on the Missing Persons and all those who contribute to the location, exhumation, scientific identification, and return of the remains to their families. “This is work that upholds human dignity and addresses the pain of the families,” he added.
He added that Turkey must cooperate substantively, grant access to the archives of the occupying army, and provide information on burial sites and the relocation of remains. “The search cannot be abandoned. The passage of time does not eliminate this duty; it makes its fulfillment even more urgent. Families are entitled to documented answers regarding the fate of their loved ones and the war crimes committed by the Turkish army,” he emphasized.
“On behalf of the President of the Republic, I reaffirm that our top priority remains liberation from Turkish occupation. We seek a just, sustainable, and workable solution, in accordance with international and European law. Our goal is a sovereign state across its entire territory, free of occupying troops and settlers, and free of anachronistic guarantees and unilateral rights of intervention. “We do not accept the occupation as the norm, as the passage of time does not legitimize illegality,” the Deputy Minister continued.
He added that the government is currently working to transform diplomatic momentum into a substantive resumption of negotiations. “However, mobility does not in itself constitute a solution, nor does a meeting equate to an agreement. There remain issues that must be resolved to make the resumption of substantive talks possible. There is no justification for complacency or for fostering unrealistic expectations. “It is our responsibility to persevere with preparation and political will, without straying from our intended goal,” he added.
He also said that the government is working to strengthen all aspects of the Republic of Cyprus’s defense capabilities. “We are strengthening our deterrence capability and the security of our citizens. We are safeguarding the resilience of the economy through responsible fiscal policy and addressing the pressures facing our society and our services, including migration challenges. With a clear European and Western orientation, we are fostering international partnerships and taking initiatives that strengthen our country’s credibility and relevance in a volatile region,” he further emphasized.
“Strengthening the Republic of Cyprus does not replace the effort to resolve the Cyprus problem. On the contrary, it supports and reinforces those efforts. We want a state capable of defending its interests, protecting its citizens, and effectively demanding an end to the occupation. “This struggle requires unity and level-headedness, bearing in mind that our decisions will be judged by their consequences for future generations,” he noted.
Cyprus can make a practical contribution to shaping European solutions
Moreover, in a speech he delivered on Saturday at the “Memory, Reflection, and Perspective “50 Years Later”—co-organized by the Spiritual Renewal Group, the Association of Greek Philologists of Cyprus “Stasinos,” and the Unified Cultural Doctrine of Cyprus–Greece–Hellenism Worldwide, the Deputy Minister said that Cyprus’s second Presidency of the Council of the EU, during the first half of 2026, demonstrated that Cyprus can make a tangible contribution to shaping European solutions.
“Despite our small size and the unique challenges we face, we undertook a demanding mission and rose to the occasion with seriousness, preparation, and a sense of responsibility. I would like to remind you, in fact, that we were called upon to manage the major crisis that had arisen due to the armed conflict between the United States of America and Israel on one side and Iran on the other,” he continued.
He added that, to this end, the Cypriot Presidency promoted significant initiatives on defense, disaster preparedness, and competitiveness, secured agreements to streamline European procedures, made progress in negotiations on the Union’s long-term budget, and highlighted energy security, connectivity, social cohesion, and the specific needs of island states.
He also highlighted the signing by the European Parliament and the European Commission of the joint declaration “Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe,” recognizing the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as the protection of cultural heritage.
According to the Deputy Minister, after years of negotiations, the EU has arrived at a comprehensive set of rules through which it seeks to ensure a unified and coherent approach to managing the complex migration and refugee issue across Europe.
As he explained, the Pact regulates the screening, identification, and reception of applicants, the examination of asylum claims, border procedures, and solidarity among member states, and seeks to move beyond a fragmented approach through strengthened rules. “It is the long-standing position of the Republic of Cyprus that solidarity and responsibility must go hand in hand. The former must be translated into relocations, personnel, infrastructure, technical support, and resources when the need arises for frontline states. The latter requires proper record-keeping, reliable checks, fair decisions, and respect for procedural safeguards,” he noted in this regard.
He also cited the completion of negotiations on the new Return Regulation as one of the most significant achievements of the Cypriot Presidency, which strengthens cooperation and sets out clearer obligations for those who do not have the right to remain and must be returned, while maintaining respect for fundamental rights, and which has been incorporated into the domestic legal system pursuant to the new Refugee Law of 2026.
“The results of President Christodoulides’ government’s policy are measurable. In 2025, irregular arrivals decreased by 86% compared to 2022, while new asylum applications decreased by 87%. A total of 12,029 departures were recorded, including relocations—nearly five for every new irregular arrival. “The improvement continues in 2026: already in the first nine months, irregular arrivals were 92% lower than in the corresponding period of 2022,” he added.
He also said that an integral part of the effort to manage migration is the integration of legally residing foreigners into Cypriot society, adding that the first comprehensive National Strategy, drafted by the Government, emphasizes the Greek language, professional skills, employment, and familiarization with Cypriot society, institutions, and culture.
“In this effort, the contribution of the educational and literary community serves as a catalyst. Knowledge of the language enables people to understand the rules, communicate with public services, and participate in social life. Integration does not mean either uncritical adaptation to the host society or erasing the identity of the person being integrated. “It means participation in a shared public life, with respect for the law and an awareness of rights and obligations,” he concluded.
Source: KYPE
