Safeguarding the negotiating achievements is the only way to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem soon, since, of the key chapters of the Cyprus problem, the only ones still pending are property and the issues of security and guarantees, said AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou, in a speech on Sunday in Kokkinotrimithia at the memorial service for Stelios Papa and Nikolaos Kaïlas, heroes of the Turkish invasion.

“Speaking of the solution, on behalf of AKEL, I would like to welcome the visit of UN Secretary-General Mr. Guterres to Cyprus. His visit demonstrates that the Secretary-General is committed to the effort to achieve a solution. His intention to convene an informal expanded meeting aimed at breaking the deadlock is a golden opportunity for the Greek Cypriot side to work consistently and decisively to advancethe prospect of a solution,” he added.

He noted that “we must essentially ‘support the Secretary-General’s intentions and, consequently, support the position to resume negotiations from the point at which they were suspended in Crans-Montana, where we came very close to reaching a strategic agreement.”

“Resuming negotiations from the point where the talks were suspended also means safeguarding the common ground that was achieved with great effort and after tough negotiations. Preserving the negotiating achievements is the only way to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem soon, since, of the substantive chapters of the Cyprus problem, the only ones still pending are property and the issues of security and guarantees,” he added.

It is for this reason, Mr. Stefanou continued, that AKEL disagrees with the so-called “new ideas” that various circles are attempting to promote on issues that have already been agreed upon.

“Such reasoning leads to the undoing of common ground that we will find difficult to regain, and the prospect of a solution will recede. There is no more room to let time pass unused. The years go by, generations change. “Ending the occupation and reunifying our country is a matter of survival for our people on the land where they were born,” he said.

He also noted that AKEL will continue its struggle for peace and the reunification of the country within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, for a homeland free of foreign troops, which will serve as a bridge of peace, cooperation, and stability in the region.

He noted that Stelios Papas, son of Kostas and Kyriaki, brother of Androulla, Irini, Nitsa, and Kokos, who was born in 1952, upon hearing of the invasion, disregarded the danger, immediately answered his country’s call, and enlisted as a reservist in the 386th Infantry Battalion, headquartered in Neo Chorio, Kythrea, and fought against Turkish forces in Agios Georgios, Kyrenia.

As he recounted, on July 22, when the invaders launched a fierce attack with air and naval support, his battalion was forced to retreat toward Bella-Pais to regroup, and Stelios never returned.

“For thirty-six whole years, his family endured the unbearable torment of anguish. His name was on the long list of those missing from the Cypriot tragedy. Until 2007, when his remains were located in a mass grave behind the Praxandros Gymnasium in Kyrenia, and in 2010 they were identified,”

As Mr. Stefanou continued, there was also Nikolas Kaïlas, son of Charalambos and Evdokia, brother of Elenitsa, Androula, Frosoula, and Giorgos.

“A young man just nineteen years old was serving his military service in the Infantry, in the Neapolis-Trachona area. He was a spirited young man full of dreams and hopes, waiting to complete his service so he could set out on his path in life. He went missing on July 23, 1974, after a battle with Turkish invaders in Neapolis. They waited for him for forty-two whole years. Forty-two years of waiting, hope, and pain. “In 2016, his remains were located in Trachona, and Nikolas returned to Kokkinotrimithia, where he was born, to be buried,” he noted.

Referring to the coup, Mr. Stefanou said that “if the coup had not taken place, the invasion would not have happened. The coup took place, and that is why the invasion took place.” “Grivas and EOKA B, through their criminal actions and their plans—which were ultimately carried out on July 15—gave Turkey the opportunity it had been waiting for for years. And they did so in a premeditated and organized manner. And they knew it from the very beginning,” he said.

“Thousands of members and leaders of AKEL and the Left resisted the coup plotters and fought against the invader, alongside other democratic citizens. We are proud that we contributed to the Democratic Resistance and to the defense of our country’s territorial integrity, freedom, and independence,” he noted.

However, he noted, the Secretary-General of AKEL, the greatest vindication for the sacrifice of our heroes is not words.

“It is the daily struggle to end the occupation. To reunite our homeland. So that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live together again, in a shared homeland, free from occupying forces, foreign guarantees, and intervention rights,” he said.

Source: CNA