The European Union (EU) must play a decisive role in the Cyprus issue, said the Minister of Defence (MoD), Michalis Giorgallas, speaking at the eulogy for the national anniversaries of March 25, 1821 and April 1, 1955, which took place on Sunday at the church of Agios Minas, in Geri, Nicosia district. “The current situation in Cyprus cannot be the future of our country. The division and the Turkish occupation cannot be perpetuated”, underlined Giorgallas. He further pointed out that “what we need are constructive initiatives and useful and productive proposals, which will lead to further convergences and the creation of a climate of mutual understanding”. We must move, he noted, “towards this direction and make every possible effort, in order to overcome the difficulties, to create the necessary conditions for the resumption of the dialogue, in order to achieve the desired goal, which is the liberation and reunification of Cyprus, with a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the principles and values ??of the European Union”. “It is within this framework that the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and the Government consider that the European Union can and should play a decisive role”, said the Ministry of Defence. “Everyone must understand that a solution to the Cyprus issue that ensures the withdrawal of the occupying troops, the implementation of the EU acquis and the liberation of Cyprus from the anachronistic system of guarantees and foreign interventions, will be to the benefit of all,” he stressed. “We owe this to the legacy of our nation’s struggles and to the heroes who paid the price with their blood. We owe this to future generations. A future of peace, progress and prosperity, to provide a sense of security to our people,” he further said. After looking back at the most important milestones of the Greek Revolution of 1821 and the liberation struggle of EOKA in 1955-1959 in Cyprus, the Minister pointed out that “today we must prove ourselves worthy of our history, showing collectiveness, a sense of responsibility, like-mindedness, and strong unity”. 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