Nicosia: As the illegal Turkish occupation of our homeland continues, we must intensify our struggle for justice in our country, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Athena Michaelidou said on Monday evening addressing an event to mark the national anniversaries of March 25, 1821 and April 1, 1955, organized by the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation, in Nicosia. Addressing the same event, Archbishop of Cyprus and Greek Ambassador also underlined the need to continue efforts for a Cyprus solution. According to Cyprus News Agency, the Minister of Education, who represented the President of the Republic at the event, stated that these two national anniversaries "proved once again that the glorious past of our nation has a present and continuity." She emphasized the focus on diplomatic efforts, seeking through peaceful means the liberation and reunification of Cyprus. The Minister reiterated that, as the President of the Republic has repeatedly emphasized, the highest priority for the present government rem ains the finding of a just, sustainable, and functional solution to the Cyprus issue. She highlighted the obligation to educate the new generation about their historical identity, Greek-Christian ideals, and cultural values. Archbishop George of Cyprus, in his address at the event, advocated for leveraging Cyprus' EU membership, emphasizing that Cyprus is not a second-class European nation and is entitled to the same rights as other European countries. He stressed the urgent necessity for Cyprus and Greece to reposition the Cyprus issue as a problem of invasion and occupation. Greek Ambassador Constantinos Kollias highlighted the lifting of the occupation and the reunification of Cyprus as the primary national goal. He assured that Cyprus would continue to have Greece's unwavering and undivided support. Kollias emphasized the duty to persist in efforts for a just, viable, and functional solution to the Cyprus problem, in line with United Nations Resolutions and the principles of the European Union. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Despite repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks, no conclusive results have been achieved. The most recent round of negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, ended without resolution.