Nicosia: President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, laid a wreath at the Resistance Monument in the Presidential Park marking the 52nd anniversary of the coup of 15 July 1974. The ceremony was attended by state, political and military leadership, representatives of parties and resistance groups and organizations, the Ambassador of Greece Konstantinos Kollias, as well as relatives of the resistance fighters whose representatives also laid wreaths.
According to Cyprus News Agency, a memorial service was performed by the Bishop of Karpasia, Christoforos, while runners from the 'Periklis Dimitriou' Association arrived carrying a flame in memory of the fallen. The President of the Register of Resistance Fighters Committee, Alexis Charalambous, emphasized the importance of honoring the memory of Archbishop Makarios and 67 heroic resistance fighters who sacrificed themselves defending freedom and democracy before, during, and after the treacherous coup. He noted that these individuals were murdered by EOKA B and the junta coup plotters.
Charalambous stated, "We honour his memory and bow to the greatness of their sacrifice. Their sacrifice demands one thing: that we hand to our children a homeland that is free, intact, independent, like all European and democratic states. Without compromises or asterisks." He expressed hope that their sacrifices would be honored by ensuring a free and independent homeland for future generations.
The coup, orchestrated by the Athens' junta against President Makarios's elected government on July 15, 1974, provided Turkey with a pretext to implement its divisive plans against Cyprus. On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, violating international law, including the United Nations Charter. The invasion occurred in two phases, resulting in Turkey taking control of Famagusta and occupying over 36% of the Republic of Cyprus's territory.
Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have yet to produce results due to Turkish intransigence, with the latest round of negotiations in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ending inconclusively.