Christofias: Democracy the most valuable gift

Democracy is the most valuable gift, President of the Republic Demetris Christofias has said.

In statements he made to the press after a church service for those killed during the 1974 military coup against the democratically elected President of Cyprus in Nicosia engineered by the Greek junta, President Christofias said that July 15 is a day to pay tribute to the people who stood against the junta.

It is a day, he noted, of lessons to be learnt, a day which teaches that constant vigilance and struggle are needed “in order to defend democratic institutions”.
President Christofias stressed “that democracy is the most valuable gift originating from Greece”.

We need to pay tribute to the people who sacrificed their lives to defend such institutions, he added.

Referring to possible Fascist phenomena, he said they should be repudiated and isolated by the people.

Five days after the coup in 1974, Turkey invaded and occupied Cyprus’ northern third. UN led talks have been underway with a view to reunify the island under a federal roof.