Determining the fate of the last missing person is a top priority for the government, said on Sunday the Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth, Athina Michailidou, in a speech at the memorial service for the heroes of Eptakomi in Agios Thomas, noting that efforts will be intensified despite the difficulties caused by the passage of time and the Turkish side’s refusal to cooperate.
Speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, Ms. Michaelidou stated that the Republic of Cyprus will continue to call on the international and European communities to exert substantial pressure on Turkey, in order to put an end to the humanitarian tragedy of the missing persons.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“We demand substantiated answers for each case individually, as a minimum obligation to their families,” she said, adding that the government’s legal and diplomatic efforts, in coordination with the families, have so far led to the exhumation and identification of some of the 1,619 missing persons.
Referring to efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, the Minister reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side has the sincere political will to return immediately to the negotiating table, as part of a properly prepared effort. “Our highest and non-negotiable priority remains finding a solution within the agreed framework,” she said.
He added that the goal is a sustainable and workable solution, based on international law, the European acquis, and UN resolutions—a solution that would free Cyprus from guarantees, unilateral rights of intervention, and foreign occupation forces. The solution, she continued, should allow all lawful citizens of the Republic of Cyprus to coexist and prosper in conditions of security, progress, and peace.
Ms. Michaelidou also said that Cyprus is an internationally recognized pillar of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and a reliable partner. As she noted, this was also demonstrated during Cyprus’s recent Presidency of the Council of the EU, during which the country took the lead in areas such as strategic autonomy, security, trade, energy, and civil protection.
She added that efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue are based on an expanded network of international alliances, with the active institutional support of the EU and the assistance of the international community.
Referring to the history of Eptakomi, she noted that the community was on the front lines during the Turkish invasion and was captured on August 15, 1974. Many of its residents remained trapped, enduring deprivation and systematic persecution, until their violent displacement in 1976.
The Minister paid tribute to those from the community who fell in battle, were murdered, or were executed, and mentioned by name the four missing residents of Eptakomi: Louka Kyriakou, Antonis Konis, Giannos Lambrou, and Andreas Konstantinou.
At the same time, she commemorated the seven residents who saved the Holy Gospel of Eptakomi, describing it as “a living bastion of the Orthodox faith and our national identity.”
Referring to the memorial to the fallen and missing of Eptakomi, Ms. Michailidou said that the engraved names will serve as a reminder of the magnitude of the heroes’ sacrifice and selfless dedication, and she called for unity and solidarity in the cause of the homeland’s freedom.
Source: CNA
