Continuing through a period of reflection and remembrance, and following the community’s significant commemorations and demonstration on July 21, the Cyprus Community of South Australia (CCSA) in association with the Justice for Cyprus Coordination Committee SA (SEKA SA) marked another notable event at the Cyprus Community Hall in Welland, South Australia.
On July 24, a community forum was held focusing on the latest developments in the Cyprus Problem, drawing an engaged group of attendees eager to delve into this enduring geopolitical and national matter.
The event featured Antonis Sammoutis, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, alongside Panayiotis Palates, Commissioner for the Citizen of the Republic of Cyprus. Their participation underscored the event’s significance, offering the community direct access to high-level diplomatic insights on the Cyprus Problem.
Commissioner Palates laid a wreath in remembrance of the 50 years since the invasion of Cyprus. Prior to official proceedings and remarks, musicians from Cyprus preformed a passionate and heartfelt ballad of four traditional Cypriot songs, stirring the hearts of the audience and framing the tone for the discussions of the struggle Cyprus continues to face.
Mr Sammoutis began the event with gratitude to the members of the Cypriot Greek diaspora.
“We are very grateful to Australia for everything that Australia has done for the Cyprus issue, and especially for receiving many of you, probably the majority of this room, who came as refugees in 1974 and started your life here in Australia. We also thank our government for supporting these events by sending a representative every year from Cyprus to be with us and to hear your questions and concerns…” Mr Sammoutis said.
“Most importantly, we are grateful to you for not giving up, all those years, not forgetting, the Cyprus issue, and for being the strongest link between Cyprus and Australia, for supporting Cyprus… you are the true ambassadors [of Cyprus]…”
Commissioner Palates provided a brief address to attendees before the Q&A, reiterating that a two-state solution is not an acceptable approach. A preferential outcome is a state resulting in a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation. Commissioner Palates also addressed their continued dialogue with the United Nations on the Cyprus Problem and addressed the important role Cyprus is playing in the war in Gaza as a supportive humanitarian corridor and partner.
The interactive format of the discussion encouraged attendees to ask questions and share their views, facilitating a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives. Questions focused on the position and actions of the Cypriot government in relation to the illegitimate “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC); the plans and approaches to address the continued illegal occupation of Cyprus; the nature of support and current bi-lateral relations with the Greek government and the European Union; and the support of the Australian government, including the international community, in not recognising the TRNC as a state.
On the last point, in May, tensions were heightened amongst the Cypriot Australian community by the laying of a wreath by the Turkish Cypriot leader of the illegitimate TRNC, Ersin Tatar at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The High Commissioner made clear that months before a visit of Mr Tatar, Australian official advice was that his travel to Australia was in his capacity as private citizen and not in any official or recognised diplomatic capacity.
The High Commissioner stated that an official apology was issued to him just hours after the wreath was laid and the ribbon on the wreath was cut, and he reiterated the long standing and close relationship with the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Matt Anderson PSM, who he described as a “good friend” of Cyprus.
The official event concluded with a second ballad of songs, providing the environment for the consolidation of answers and the passionate perspectives of the preceding dialogue. Guests were then welcome to network and discuss their views, with further opportunity to engage with representatives from Cyprus.
The event emphasised the Cypriot Government’s commitment to engage with the Cypriot diaspora in Australia and the government’s acknowledgement of the diaspora’s role in being ambassadors for the Cypriot cause and to achieve a unified Cyprus.
Other notable guests at the event included: Hon. Mira El Dannawi MLC, representing the Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia; Hon. Connie Bonaros MLC; Hon. Frank Pangallo MLC; and Bishop Silouan of Adelaide.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Peter Tantalos.
