Nicosia:The Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) has discovered remains at three of its eight excavation sites in Agios Georgios Spathariko, Kalo Chorio Kythreas, and Lapithos. The remains of one individual were found at two locations, while the third site revealed the remains of two individuals.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Leonidas Pantelides, the Greek Cypriot member of the CMP, addressed the Pancyprian Organisation of Relatives of Missing Persons in Nicosia, revealing that of the 2,002 people on the official missing persons list, 1,082 have been identified, comprising 765 Greek Cypriots and 317 Turkish Cypriots. The remaining missing include 745 Greek Cypriots and 175 Turkish Cypriots. Pantelides emphasized the ongoing search for the medical records of the Turkish army related to the 1974 mass burials.
Presidential Commissioner Marios Hartsiotis highlighted the state€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¾¢s firm commitment to resolving the issue of missing persons, calling it a humanitarian and national duty. He noted that the President actively addresses the issue internationally, seeking cooperation from Turkey and access to relevant Turkish military archives.
Nikos Kettiros, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees, stressed that uncovering the fate of all missing persons remains a top priority, emphasizing the need to utilize all available scientific and technological resources.
Nikos Sergides, President of the Pancyprian Organisation of Relatives of Missing Persons, acknowledged the historical shortcomings in investigations but expressed pride in keeping the issue internationally recognized. Maria Kalbourtzi, representing the Panhellenic Committee, underscored the importance of coordinated efforts between Greece and Cyprus.
Neoklis Neokleous from the UK branch proposed a confidential mechanism under UN supervision to facilitate Turkey's sharing of crucial information. Haris Symeonidis, representing the 1963-1964 missing persons' relatives, urged continued hope and perseverance in resolving the Cyprus issue.
Cyprus has remained divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion, with the CMP established to locate and identify the remains of missing Greek and Turkish Cypriots from the conflicts of 1963-1964 and 1974.