The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, has sent an exclusive message to The Greek Herald readers ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on Saturday, July 20.
Full message in English
Fifty years after the treacherous coup and Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the pain remains tormenting every time we recall the dramatic events that mutilated our beloved homeland and caused devastation.
The thousands of dead, missing, refugees, and trapped individuals are victims of the crime committed 50 years ago against an entire people by the Turkish army, which has since illegally occupied the territory of an independent and sovereign country, violating every concept of justice.
With particular emotion, I address our compatriots living and working in Australia, the country that became a vast embrace for thousands of Cypriots, especially after the 1974 disaster. I want to thank you for everything you do for our homeland and assure you that liberation, the end of illegal occupation, and the reunification of our country are my top priorities.
With realism, determination, and persistence, we continue our efforts in an ever-changing reality, aiming to create the conditions for resuming negotiations. For the past twenty years, the flag of the Republic of Cyprus has flown alongside the flags of 26 other EU member states, and rightfully, we look to the future with optimism and unwavering faith that the days to come will be better.
By leveraging its European status, the Republic of Cyprus undertakes initiatives and becomes a pole of stability, transforming into a bridge of cooperation at the critical crossroads where geography has placed it. Our constant concern is the correct interpretation of international developments, understanding geopolitical balances, and strengthening the international standing of the Republic of Cyprus by enhancing all the state’s power factors and highlighting its role as a pillar of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East.
We bow to the greatness of our people, who, despite the hardships they endured, did not compromise, did not give up, and did not forget. The homeland is grateful to Cypriots everywhere because, in this great struggle we are waging, the contribution of the diaspora is substantial and unparalleled.
Together, we continue to move towards a safe, creative, and hopeful future that ensures the prosperity and security of our citizens, all our lawful compatriots: Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians, and Latinos. European citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, who we want to live and thrive in conditions of prosperity and security. This is the country I envision; this is the homeland we are obliged to pass on to our children.
