Nicosia: “The case of the missing persons in Cyprus reminds us that for Hellenism there are no anonymous losses and the identification of the fallen for the homeland is a duty,” Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias stated at the repatriation ceremony of the identified remains of six soldiers who died during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, held at the Elefsina Air Base.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Dendias emphasized that the return to the homeland is a national concern for the entire Greek society. He noted that Greece is fulfilling a historic debt by honouring the fallen and providing justice to their families. The Defence Minister highlighted that the search and identification of missing persons in Cyprus has been ongoing for five decades and remains a national priority. He expressed solidarity with the relatives of the fallen, acknowledging the sorrow of their prolonged wait.
Dendias also extended gratitude to the Republic of Cyprus and other contributors to the successful return of the remains. He asserted that their joint efforts prove that obstacles can be overcome and that national endeavors persist despite challenges. The search for every missing Greek continues, with the State committed to ensuring that each family receives the justice they deserve.
He remarked that the remains are returning to their homeland, where their sacrifice will be eternally remembered in the national memory. The concept of truth in Greek, he explained, is synonymous with the preservation of memory – a memory that refuses forgetfulness.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following the Turkish invasion, which resulted in the occupation of 37% of its territory, leaving hundreds of individuals unaccounted for. A Committee on Missing Persons was established to exhume, identify, and return to their families the remains of both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots who went missing during inter-communal conflicts in 1963-1964 and in 1974.
Statistical data from the CMP website as of June 30, 2025, indicates that out of 2,002 missing persons, 1,707 have been exhumed and 1,054 identified. Among 1,510 Greek Cypriot missing persons, 758 have been identified, with 752 still missing. Out of 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons, 296 have been identified, leaving 196 still unaccounted for.