The open wound of 1974, with the violent displacement of people, people killed and gone missing, “the theft of our cultural and religious heritage, the alteration of the demographic character of our island and the blatant violation of our basic human rights, has indelibly marked the modern history of our country, indicating our duty to fight for the liberation and reunification of our homeland,” Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Athena Michaelidou said on Wednesday.
In her address to a conference organised by the High School in Dali, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of a large part of Cyprus, Michaelidou noted that “the prevalence of justice in our country, through finding a workable and viable solution is the highest obligation and priority of all of us.”
“What we pursue, as the President of the Republic has stated, is for Cyprus to become a truly independent state, which will enable all its legitimate citizens to live and co-exist in security, peace and
stability. We claim these inalienable rights enjoyed by every European citizen, to which all of us are entitled, and first and foremost you, the children,” she added.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency