Deputy Foreign Minister Kyriakos Gerontopoulos met on Friday morning, 1 November, with Democratic Rally of Cyprus (DISY) President and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Averof Neophytou.
Following the meeting, Mr. Gerontopoulos told reporters that “in these critical moments for the Cyprus issue, the Greek and Cypriot positions are identical. We want a Cyprus that is united and free, without Turkish occupation forces, which are unacceptable and are a black stain on the European Union. We have to move ahead to the resolution of the Cyprus issue, based on the principles and resolutions of the UN and in line with the European acquis.
I want to assure you, Mr. President, that what we – Athens and Nicosia – are doing comes from within us, is a moral obligation to the heroes who fell for the freedom of Cyprus, and we will continue in this way, moving ahead together every step of the way. We will face and overcome the challenges together. Greece and Cyprus, even now, as they are facing economic problems, are islands of stability in the wider region. This is a success for Hellenism as a whole, because we are showing everyone that we remain stable in our views, alliances and cooperation.”
Mr. Neophytou noted that “Cyprus and Greece – despite the problems – remain pillars of stability in the wider region. Mr. Gerontopoulos and I underscored once again the national imperative for the excellent and firm relations Greece and Cyprus must continue to have, particularly today, with national dangers extending to economic issues. We thank the Greek people, governments and political parties for their longstanding support in our national struggles. Cyprus will stand by Greece, as Greece stands by Cyprus, even more firmly in these difficult circumstances we are currently experiencing.”
Mr. Gerontopoulos also visited the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK) base, where he laid a wreath at the monument to those who fell during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. He was briefed by the commander and his staff, toured the museum that has been in operation since 2007, and talked with the officers and soldiers stationed at the base. He thanked them for their contribution to their homeland, stressing that their presence makes Hellenism in Greece and Cyprus feel secure, certain that they can sleep soundly.
Mr. Gerontopoulos also visited the Imprisoned Graves, where the heroes in the struggle to free Cyprus were martyred. He was guided on his visit by the president of the Association of imprisoned and tortured fighters, and he laid a wreath at the monument adjacent to the site where the fallen fighters are buried. In the presence of the sister of the hero Evagoras Pallikaridis, he wrote in the visitors book that “the heroes gave their lives for freedom. It is our duty to keep their ideas alive.”
November 2, 2013