Michael, 19 at that time, joined the National Guard in 1973 and had been missing since the second phase of the invasion.

Speaking at the funeral, Defense Minister Costas Papacostas reaffirmed that President of the Republic Demetris Christofias is determined to continue to struggle for a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem, adding that “we are ready to take initiatives for a solution that will reunite the country”.

Papacostas noted that “having our national solidarity as a shield we can claim whatever belongs to us”, sending also a message to the young generation that “no longer must it stand as the hopeless victim of our history”.