Our aim is to achieve a viable solution that will reunite the island divided since 1974 Turkish invasion and put an end to the Turkish occupation leading the country to a new era, Deputy Minister to President Vassilis Palmas has said.
In his address at a national memorial service for two soldiers from the village of Potamiou, who were killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion and for the missing of the community, Palmas said that our equitable demand is at last for Turkey to assume its responsibilities so that the investigation into the fate of all missing persons to continue unhindered and in a more effective way.
He said that we need to remain consistent to our principles and positions and to steadily follow the path of national responsibility which requires us to give tomorrow`s generations a homeland free from occupying forces and dividing lines, from foreign guarantees and intervention rights.
“To give these generations a European a state with guaranteed human rights and fundamental freedoms and a country of peace, security and prosperity for all its legitimate inhabitants”, he added.
Being fully aware of the reality and the dangers of the unacceptable status quo, he went on to say, we are called upon to continue our fair struggle and to preserve our historical identity, Greek language and culture, our traditions and our culture. “Today we are called upon to make historic decisions that will determine our future, “he said.
“Our only goal is to achieve a solution that will justify the sacrifice of our heroes and martyrs. A viable solution that will reunite our homeland and end the occupation, leading it to a new era. An era promising much more to all the legitimate inhabitants of the island in conditions of freedom, democracy, security and prosperity, ” he concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Talks held under the auspices of the UN aim at reunifying Cyprus under a federal roof. The latest round of negotiations in early July in Crans Montana ended inconclusively due to unacceptable demands the Turkish side had insisted on.
