The solution of the Cyprus problem remains the unchanging goal, said the Minister of Defence, Charalambos Petrides, who delivered a speech at the memorial service of the hero of the EOKA National Liberation Struggle, Panikos Symeou, which took place on Sunday in Limassol.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, Petrides said that “Lately, Turkey, adopting an anachronistic and revisionist policy, has been trying to impose itself and control the entire Eastern Mediterranean at the expense of Hellenism, but also of the rest of the countries in the region”.
“With non-existent inventions and the circumvention of International Law, Turkey attempts to construct and promote an anti-Greek false reality. With extreme statements against Greece and Cyprus, it has adopted a tactic of provocation and fanaticism with direct threats,” continued the Minister.
“In this slippage, as the Republic of Cyprus, we oppose strong networks of alliances and partnerships in the regional and international geopolitical scene and we make use of every available diplomatic means”, Petrides noted.
He also pointed out that “the goal remains one and unchanging. The solution of the Cyprus issue. A solution that will result from a sincere dialogue and which will be based on the agreed framework for the solution of the Cyprus issue and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. A solution which will aim at the liberation and reunification of our homeland and the creation of conditions of security, prosperity, coexistence and cooperation for our people”.
“We must resist Turkey’s unacceptable attitude and illegal actions with all our strength. We renew the oath that we will not abandon our occupied ancestral homes, our villages and cities. We will never renounce our national sovereignty and everything that characterises our national identity and consciousness”, stressed the Minister of Defence.
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