Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias sent a message on the national anniversary of April 1st, in a post on X, stressing that Greece bows in respect to the liberation struggle of EOKA. Cyprus and Greece are “pillars of stability” in the region, he added.

“69 years ago, on April 1, 1955, the liberation struggle of the National Organization of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA) began. Greece bows in respect to the selflessness of the young Cypriots who gave their lives in this struggle,” he said.

He said that the memory of those fighters “continues to inspire our commitment to the reunification of Cyprus and the end of the Turkish occupation, in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the principles and values of the European acquis”.

“Today, in a complex security environment in the wider region, the Republic of Cyprus and Greece are pillars of stability, with constant cooperation and full coordination in the defence sector. As I have repeatedly stressed, Cyprus is not far away,” Dendias concluded.

The national anniversary of 1st April 1955, marks the launch of the EOKA campaign against British colonial rule.