The President of the Republic continues his tireless efforts to create the conditions for the resumption of direct negotiations toward a comprehensive and fair resolution of the Cyprus problem, said Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hatzimanoli, noting that it is our imperative duty to pass on a free and prosperous Cyprus to future generations.

In her speech on Sunday at the National Memorial Service for the heroes of the community of Agios Ioannis Pitsilias, Ms. Hatzimanoli praised the sacrifice of those who fell during the Turkish invasion: Christoforos Giatrou, Dimos Demosthenous, Kostas Palamas, Savvas Malekkidis, Kostas Moiranthis, and Anastasis Pitta.

Along with those who fell heroically and those missing in action, she noted, the community also honors Corporal Kostas Palamas, who, while serving his country, fought valiantly at Trachona, was seriously wounded, and became disabled by mortar fire, on the first day of the invasion, and lost his life on October 23, 1984, during his first trip in his wheelchair.

The memorial service, he continued, is not merely an act of remembrance; “it is a lesson in historical self-awareness and national responsibility,” and he added that “it is a reminder that we owe a debt to those who gave their lives for values such as democracy, freedom, and human dignity.”

The sacrifice and struggle of the community’s heroes, Marina Hatzimanoli emphasized, serve as an example for everyone, and “it is our duty to honor them, not only with memorial services and words, but also through actions, with these pioneers serving as our guides to remind us of who we are, where we come from, and where we are headed.”

Noting that the struggle for our values and ideals is never-ending, he emphasized that “it is our imperative duty to pass on to future generations a free Cyprus, a prosperous Cyprus.”

In this context, he added, President Christodoulides—whose mandate from the people of Cyprus is the liberation and reunification of the homeland, continues his tireless efforts to create the conditions for the resumption of direct negotiations toward a comprehensive and just resolution of the Cyprus problem. “A solution based on the agreed United Nations (UN) framework, the negotiating acquis, and, of course, the principles and values of European law,” she added.

Ms. Hatzimanoli also said that, “despite the various obstacles and problems being raised, the UN Secretary-General himself has stated that a very serious initiative to resume talks is currently underway, following persistent and targeted efforts on our part,”.

“Our goal is for Cyprus to be liberated and reunified, putting an end to the 52-year occupation of our ancestral lands, transforming the Republic of Cyprus into a modern member state of the EU and the United Nations, and providing prosperity and security to all its lawful residents,” she added.

The Deputy Minister of Shipping emphasized that, today, more than half a century later, we have a responsibility to keep the memory of this sacrifice alive, “We have a responsibility to the fallen, to those missing, and also to the living who fought and survived, to preserve the truth intact from the ravages of time and indifference.”

“This is not merely about the past. It is the soul of this place. It is the foundation of our historical self-awareness,” he said, adding that the memory of the heroes of the community of Agios Ioannis Pitsilias will be eternal, “just as our own struggle will be unceasing until final vindication.”