The “tireless” efforts of overseas Cypriots, their love for their country, their successes and the progress they achieve in their countries of residence, have made them “the best ambassadors” of Cyprus abroad, Presidential Commissioner, Photis Photiou said on Tuesday in his speech at the opening of the World Conference of Cyprus Diaspora, in Nicosia.
Photiou said that this was an “important” day for everyone. “Your presence here confirms once again your ceaseless interest and steadfast love for Cyprus,” he said, referring to the organizations of overseas Cypriots, POMAK, PSEKA and NEPOMAK.
The Commissioner expressed the country’s “deep gratitude” for their multifaceted, as he said, contribution at the political, social and cultural level, “but especially in matters of promoting our positions on the national issue and strengthening our relations with governments and other decision-making centers in the countries where you reside at a time when Turkey with its provocative and illegal actions creates instability in the region and violates International Law”.
He said that POMAK, PSEKA, NEPOMAK, the Presidents, members and other executives of the federations of overseas Cypriots, were “a valuable capital” that always acts positively and in an enviable manner.
“The dynamism, patriotism, adherence to our principles, values and traditions, the tireless efforts in general and love for our country, the successes and progress you are making in your countries of residence, have made you the best of our ambassadors abroad,” he said.
Photiou also referred to the young overseas Cypriots and said that the government attaches particular importance to the issues concerning them and has introduced programmes to encourage their involvement in expat events and in the political affairs of their countries of residence, as well for a more frequent contact with Cyprus though learning the language, history and culture.
He also referred to the issue of the missing persons, and to the efforts made by expatriates to solve this humanitarian problem. Photiou appealed to the organizations to intensify their efforts, with the governments and powerful decision-making centers of their countries of residence, so that answers can be given to the relatives of these people who, are gradually dying without knowing what happened to their loved ones.
He also referred to the cooperation with friendly countries on Diaspora matters, and welcomed their representatives who will attend the conference, from Greece, Armenia, Serbia, and Romania. He also welcomed to Cyprus the Minister of Advanced Education of Alberta, Canada, Demetrios Nicolaides.
“Another Cyprus, beyond its physical borders, will continue to fight with stubbornness and determination in our countries of residence, until our homeland is freed from the Turkish occupation”, said on his part, the President of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK), Andreas Papaevripides, in his address.
Referring to a visit, members of the federations paid on Tuesday morning to the Paphos air base, he said that “we feel proud for the high level of preparedness and deterrence of the National Guard.” Addressing the political leadership, he requested additional funds for the purchase of UAVs.
Denouncing Turkish revisionism, POMAK’s President said it is time for Turkish Cypriots to “realize that it is in their own interest to break free from Turkey and work with us to achieve a just and functional solution, which ensures permanent peace and prosperity in a normal state, that is a member of EU, without anachronistic guarantees and intervention rights.
Philip Christopher, President of the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA), in his speech, focused on the Cyprus issue and said that this is the time for the Cyprus government to present “a specific and detailed plan that talks about energy, the exclusive economic zone, membership to NATO, that talks about the defence of the democratic values and the western world.”
The dilemma of the Cyprus problem, he said, has been the fact that, for 48 years “we have been talking about values” but the EU, US, and other countries are talking about geopolitical, military, economic interests with Turkey, pointing out that “this is the problem we need to solve.”
The President of the Youth of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK), Christos Tuton, referred to the 20th anniversary since the establishment of NEPOMAK, and how this has changed the lives of many young Cypriots living abroad.
He paralleled the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and said that for Cypriots, this was far too familiar, as they went through the same pain as refugees, as relatives of the missing, “and as a people who want peace for our homeland.” He said that the fact that Nicosia is “the last divided capital city in the world”, is “unacceptable and a shame on the international community.” He also said that they will do all they can “to make it clear to our governments back home that if they do not stop Turkey’s illegal actions, then they are complicit,” as they cannot simply sit back and close their eyes as Turkey demands partition of the island and opens Varoshia, street by street. Tuton said they will fight for justice for Cyprus, freedom, and the end of the occupation.
Representing the Greek government, the Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Zetta Makri, said that Hellenic and Cypriot Communities of the Diaspora play an important role in the inseparable relationship between Greeks and Cypriots, as they share common aspirations and “lay strong foundations for our continuity through education, our language and culture.”
Pafos Bishop Georgios also addressed the conference’s opening, representing Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus
Source : Cyprus News Agency