Press Releases

Fifty years later, history shows that the treacherous coup of the Athens Junta and its accomplices in Cyprus, which overturned the President of the Republic of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios, was used as a pretext by Ankara to invade Cyprus, committing one of the greatest crimes of the contemporary post-war history of Europe, in order to achieve a persistent Turkish objective, namely the division and the demographic distortion of more than a third of our country. 

The anguish caused by the tragic events of the summer of 1974 and the memories of anger, shame and despair remain vivid, linger in our thoughts like thousands of bees around the corpse of Onesilus, the tragic king of Salamis. 

Inevitably, memories come alive each summer at the piercing sound of the war sirens, along with an emotional shiver and an ineffable intense concern about the passing of time with no return to our homes, with no redemption. Memories of the living refugees and the new generations, memories and honours due to all those who have fallen, heroically or undeservingly, and of those who suffered at the hands of the Turkish occupying army and are still suffering from the occupation. 

Our thoughts shall always be with the black-clad mothers who for years on end stood at the checkpoints, the tears, the buses, with which not all returned, at the help that never arrived, at our homes that the treacherous and uneven war forced us to abandon, at the never ending question why ‘the beloved sea of Keryneia brought them to us’. 

Waiting patiently, we all turn our bowed heads towards the silent Pentadaktylos smeared with the illegal flag, to Keryneia, to Ammochostos, Morfou, Karpaseia and our Maronite villages, from one end of Cyprus to the other, deprived of freedom for half a century. 

The unrelenting cruel memory takes us back to that tragic summer of 1974 that marked the lives of all Cypriots and the future of our long suffering country. That defined the historical development of our people and our society in every aspect with dividing lines and barbed wire, carved and consolidated against our will and desire. 

Fifty years ago, Turkey invaded Cyprus scarring in a shameless way the history of our country and its people. Tragic parents who lost their children, mothers who lost their sons, young children who lost their fathers, relatives that scattered all over, having lost their loved ones in battle or crude killings, people who found themselves on the first line of duty in defence of democracy and still bear, half a century later, the wounds of war on their bodies. 

We stand in awe before them every day. And WE DO NOT FORGET. This year’s sombre anniversary, marking half a century of occupation and deprivation of our basic human rights and liberties, is too heavy a load to bear; it is a stifling injustice that gives rise to feelings that are very difficult to describe in words. 

It has been fifty years, an unimaginably long time. An entire generation, my generation, the one of the children of war, the one born and raised as refugees, under occupation, in the crude and harsh reality of a Cyprus that is torn apart by the force of arms. Born and raised in the war and its tragic consequences, the occupation and the deprivation of our properties and liberties. 

The children of the war, who sought solace in their mothers’ arms during those tragic days of 1974, who played and learned how to read and write in tents, who were raised in refugee settlements, now have their own children, the fourth generation of refugees, still yearning for the day of returning, feeling unjustified and betrayed. At the same time, the generation of our grandparents who passed away without having realised the burning desire to return to their homes and put down to rest in their ancestral places. 

Many are the tragic consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation, with disastrous effects that left deep wounds in our country and continue to stand in the way of peace, security, further growth and prosperity. 

The responsibilities of those who paved the way and carried out the invasion and the continued occupation to this day, the attempted legitimisation of the illegal fait accompli, are incalculable. 

Half a century later, Turkey remains the invader and illegal occupier of 37% of our land, responsible on the basis of all Resolutions of the International Community for the continuing violation of the human rights of the people of Cyprus as a whole, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenian and Latins, in their own country. 

The actions of Turkey constitute a blatant violation of International and European Law, the Charter of the United Nations, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and an unassailable violation of the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Cypriots. The people of Cyprus are the only citizens of the European Union who cannot enjoy fully the human rights of free movement, settlement, work, ownership and basic liberties within 37% of our country, our ancestral homes. 

All the unacceptable and condemnable things taking place in Ukraine today, which the international community rightly so condemns, as well as the Republic of Cyprus and the Hellenic Republic, took place 50 years ago in European Cyprus, and we have been living with their consequences ever since. 

This is the dire historical reality. This is the reason why it is necessary to end today’s unacceptable status quo and restore the basic freedoms and human rights of all Cypriots without exceptions. This is warranted by: 

The unjust loss of hundreds of people and the violent uprooting of tens of thousands of families from their homes. 

The missing persons, whose fate is still unknown and whose children and grandchildren are still waiting. 

Our enclaved people who remained at their homes despite the persecution, pressure and continuous provocations. 

The shameful destruction of our cultural and religious heritage, our churches, historical monuments, natural landscapes, all our beloved places. 

Beyond condemning the treacherous coup and the barbaric Turkish invasion in the strongest terms, this 50th anniversary in its intensely symbolical timing provides the opportunity for collective reflection, reckoning, assessing the course pursued so far and determining principles, values and positions regarding the management of the occupation of a large part of the territory of an independent and sovereign state, a member of the United Nations Organisation and member state of the European Union. 

In 1974, our country, the Republic of Cyprus suffered a double violation that injured, divided and traumatised it. Despite the effort, they did not succeed to destroy it. 

This year we are counting no less than 50 tragic summers and multiple wounds. Against the wishes and efforts of few, we are counting 50 years of no compromise, no succumbing, no remissness by the Greek Cypriots. The Greek Cypriots worked hard, believed in universal principles and values, projected and further enhanced the statehood of the Republic of Cyprus, striving incessantly to end the occupation and reunite the country and its people. 

Without ever forgetting, the people of Cyprus have stood firm, reassembled, provided temporary housing for the displaced people, raised their children. The people of Cyprus have not forgotten: they are waiting, hoping and struggle. 

I stand before you today on a sombre anniversary for Cyprus and for Hellenism, half a century after the most tragic and disastrous moment in the modern history of this country, as the first President of the Republic of Cyprus who was born only a few months before the black July and who grew up among the other children of the war, of refugeeism, of the I Do Not Forget motto, of continuous effort for prosperity, but also of the search of what is right and just, after many recurring disappointments; one who grew up in a country with many high-sounding slogans, cross-accusations, mentions of traitors and patriots, fixed dividing lines, all the while with a country under occupation. 

This is not the time to take stock of History. It is not the time for criticism, for pointing to mistakes, of good and bad people, of patriots and traitors. I am here tonight, 50 years since the sombre summer of 1974, to stress in the most emphatic way that for me, my generation, the generation of the invasion, there is only one way forward, because a non-solution situation is not a solution, because we do not compromise with division, because we know all too well who is to gain from the passage of time and of a deadlock, because my main concern and priority is the end of the occupation, the liberation and reunification of our country. With the political will and in full coordination with the government of the Hellenic Republic, we aim at a solution based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and the European acquis communautaire. In spite of the challenges, difficulties, disappointments, and the often uphill struggle, we truly believe that we can find solutions to the even most challenging issues. 

There is no alternative for us but to commit to ending the occupation and reunifying our country. We must rid ourselves of the occupation and the division that erode the strengths and potential of Cyprus and prosperity, that undermine the vision for a united, mutually prosperous country, preventing it from reaching its potential. And the only way to achieve this, is by safeguarding the international status of the Republic of Cyprus, by reinforcing all the pillars of state power, e.g. the economy, social cohesion and justice, military deterrent capability, highlighting the role of Cyprus as a bastion of security and stability through deeds rather than words in the so important area of the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East, making the correct assessment of international developments, understanding geostrategic balances and having an effective role and voice in Europe. 

The only way ahead and the one I follow firmly and shall tirelessly continue to do so, is the road of progress, cooperation and peace, a road that persists in every effort to break the impasse and lead to the resumption of the talks the soonest possible. What is needed is deliverance and a solution that will truly reunite the country and its people in conditions of democracy, security, equal rights and opportunities for all of its legal citizens, one of true peace, progress and prosperity. Despite the difficulties, disappointments, provocations, and threats, such as the ones we heard today coming from the mouth of the leader of the occupying force Turkey, we shall not accept the occupation. We shall continue our effort with assertive realism, determination and perseverance and without complaining in a constantly changing international landscape. 

Our vision – sustainable, constant and feasible – is to achieve a viable and lasting solution that truly reunites our country and our people. Such a solution, such a success, will constitute a supreme national achievement and the basic element for a healthy and inspiring future for our children in a modern European country with no barbed wires, occupation troops and anachronistic guarantees. Let us all aspire to this together and let us not seek winners and losers. So long as there is occupation and no solution, we are all missing out, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike. 

We should therefore take a vocal and united stand on this truth and rally around it in an unequivocal manner: our priority is the solution, reunification, security and wellbeing of all Cypriots lawfully residing on the island, and we should jointly continue our efforts in earnest to achieve this goal. Anything short of reunification does not safeguard the interests and the peaceful future of Greek Cypriots. There is no room for compromise on this truth. 

In this endeavour, a united internal front is essential. Especially in this pivotal juncture of crucial importance, half a century after the Turkish invasion; we are well aware of the disastrous consequences of internal strife and barren confrontation often used in serving other expediencies. No one and nothing, are above the country and the need to establish conditions of security and prosperity for us and our children. 

Mr Prime Minister of Greece, the historic presence of yourself and your wife at today’s sombre anniversary, the first ever of a Greek Prime Minister at the occasion of condemning the 1974 Turkish invasion, is a great honour for our country, the institution I represent and the people of Cyprus. It shows personal sensitivities, it demonstrates political and national priorities, not merely containing symbolic gestures but substantial messages, which I perceive with great appreciation and which give us strength and encouragement. I would like to sincerely thank you not only for your presence here but also for the substantial and effective cooperation between us, which is notable, probably for the first time to such great extent by absolute sincerity, pragmatism and mutual respect. I am certain that you too are able to appreciate that these feelings express the people of Cyprus as a whole, who are deeply touched and welcome you. 

And today, dear friend Kyriacos, I would like in your presence and in the presence of all attending Greek officials to pay homage to our brothers from Greece who have fallen bravely in defence of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, leaving their last breath here on the island of Cyprus. I express the gratitude of the State and of the people of Cyprus as a whole for their sacrifice and contribution, as well as to all the Greeks who fought back the despicable Turkish invasion. 

At the same time, I would like, Mr Prime Minister, to express the genuine gratitude of the people of Cyprus for the concrete and consistent support and assistance that the Hellenic Republic and the fraternal people of Greece have offered during these past 50 years to the Cypriot struggle for survival, development and vindication. This support and assistance constitute the strongest and most consistent foundation of the struggle we wage. We know all too well that a powerful Hellenic Republic is a powerful ally of the Republic of Cyprus, a pillar of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

Under the weight of the 1974 disaster, the greatest tragedy of Hellenism since 1922, the small and beleaguered Cyprus, with Greece’s support, accepted a solution of bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in accordance with the decisions of the United Nations, the principles and values of the European Union and the European acquis communautaire. It was a historic compromise that to this day stipulates the policy of the Republic of Cyprus and the Hellenic Republic, as well as that of the international community in its entirety for the solution of the Cyprus problem. 

In the 50 years since 1974, Turkey and the Ankara-led leadership of the Turkish Cypriots, under Ankara’s control and guidance, have not demonstrated the will and readiness for an honourable compromise that would lead to the achievement of the longed-for solution. To the contrary, they have steadfastly and unyieldingly persisted on the direct or indirect recognition of the faits accomplis of the invasion and continuing occupation, with a more recent demand for sovereign equality and a two-state solution. I emphatically reiterate today that the Greek Cypriot side remains committed to the form of solution agreed to in the context of the United Nations and it is in full readiness to become involved in substantial negotiations for the achievement of a viable and functional solution. 

I truly believe that in the framework of the talks, across the negotiating table, we can bring about the desired reunification. The Republic of Cyprus is a member state of the European Union and will continue to be one after a feasible solution, while the European Union has the tools and the answers to address all the difficult issues of the negotiations. At the same time, however, I wish to make clear in all parties involved, that there are limits to the concessions and the compromises we can accept. As I said before, the Republic of Cyprus is a member state of the European Union and no one should expect that we could collude in devising a still-born settlement that would amount to two states or would not be able to function or would not allow for the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus as a whole to enjoy basic human rights. 

We cannot define or change geography; nor the power factors of third parties. We can, however, and we ought to persist by utilising and reinforcing the means in our disposal, in order to contribute to the development of conditions through which Cyprus can reunite, evolve into a place of stability, security, prosperity and peace. 

In 1953, as if anticipating the future intentions of Turkey’s leaders, George Seferis prophetically wrote in his emblematic poem “Salamina of Cyprus” the following: “The earth has no handles to pick it up and take it away. And these bodies formed by a clay, they do not know, have souls. Some try finding the tools to change them, they will fail; they will only kill them if the souls could be undone.” 

However, souls cannot be undone. Just as history cannot be undone, civilisation, the identity of this long-suffering place, Cyprus will be blessed and will forsee better days, just like a country in its entirety and its legal citizens deserve. 

I would like to thank everybody for their presence today at the Presidential Palace, in this commemorative event that reinforces the messages of perseverance, resilience and hope with the only aim of reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem, the reunification of our country. Your presence, Mr Prime Minister, my friend Kyriacos, in addition to what I have said before, reinforces a strong feeling that I have in me since my teenage years: Cyprus is not afar as long as it is in the hearts of our Greek brothers and sisters.

For the address in the Turkish language press here.

(AS/GS/IA)