The continuing efforts and dedication of the emigrants to the reason for resolving the Cyprus challenge, in opposition to the background of the fiftieth anniversary of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of the island, the activation of the diaspora youth, but additionally the joint progress of Nicosia and Athens, have been on the heart of the reviews of the audio system in the course of the opening ceremony of the World Convention of Cypriot Diaspora, in Nicosia.
The proceedings of the convention have been introduced by the President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulidis, whereas the Minister of International Affairs Konstantinos Kombos, the heads of POMAC, PSEKA and NEPOMAK, Andreas Papaevripides, Philip Christopher and Christos Touton, respectively, the Deputy Minister of International Affairs of Greece Giorgos Kotsiras, the President of the Parliament Annita Dimitriou and Archbishop George.
In his welcome, the Minister of International Affairs Konstantinos Kombos identified that the appreciation of the Cypriot state in direction of all expatriates is a given but additionally that its expression is obligatory, stressing that the loyalty and love of the expatriates for Cyprus is reworked into an act of selfless contribution guided by the dedication them to safeguard the pursuits of Cyprus.
The Minister of International Affairs famous that after the latest reintegration of the Service of Cypriot Expatriates and Returnees into the constructions of the Ministry of International Affairs, consideration has turned to the creation of a renewed cooperation framework. The intention of the Ministry, as he defined, “is to strengthen ties, optimize cooperation and reform the way in which of operation and communication”.
“The Heart, Nicosia, our diplomatic missions, the organized teams of our diaspora in a typical line with a single message and with the depth of its resonance” he stated, indicating that that is precisely what has been set as an goal.
And he added that the help of the State to the Group and the help of its motion are the purpose of reference, explaining {that a} key step is the activation of the younger folks of the diaspora. “With fashionable methods of communication, with a renewed message methodology, with an eye fixed on the longer term guided by our historical past” he stated, indicating that younger folks search to keep up the reference to their roots and on the identical time construct their integration within the international locations the place they have been born and dwell.
In his welcome, Constantinos Kombos additionally referred to the define of the plan that has been formulated, which, as he defined, can be consulted within the subsequent few days along with the emigrants, in order that it may be finalized with a beginning 12 months of 2025.
Lastly, he thanked all of the contributors within the Convention for the dear assist they supply to our nation from wherever they’re in troublesome and hostile, as he stated, circumstances, “assist which particularly this 12 months with the fiftieth anniversary of the black invasion reminds everybody that the power we derive as a State has been largely supported all these years by you and for that we’re without end grateful to you”.
The President of POMAC Andreas Papaevripides in his greeting famous that this 12 months's presence within the homeland, 10 days from the fiftieth black anniversary, fills them with “disappointment and ache”.
“Fifty years of wrestle with out justification, however nobody forgets us and nothing is forgotten,” he stated, noting that it’s imposed by our historic reminiscence and the obligation at hand over a free Cyprus to the following generations.
He famous that, as Cypriots of the diaspora, they convey the message that their struggles will proceed extra vigorously.
Mr. Papaevripidis expressed the hope that the relative mobility noticed lately within the try to restart the talks, would bear fruit and be based mostly on the provisions of the UN resolutions.
The President of PSEKA, Philip Christopher, expressed his disappointment in his personal speech that, 50 years later, “and in any case our efforts”, there was a failure and it was not potential for a single refugee to return dwelling.
Mr. Christopher congratulated the Christodoulidis Authorities which goals, as he stated, for Cyprus to turn into the answer within the area and for its pursuits to be on the identical line as these of the USA, the UK and the EU.
For 50 years now we have been negotiating attempting to succeed in a bizonal bicommunal federation, Mr. Christopher stated, noting that he understands that it’s a UN decision, “however the backside line is what now we have finished, we downgraded Cyprus from an issue of invasion and occupation to a bicommunal drawback.”
It’s time to reframe Cyprus as an issue of unlawful invasion and occupation, he stated.
The President of NEPOMAK, Christos Touton, thanked all these preventing for the top of the occupation within the final 50 years, noting that the combat continues.
He stated that no member of NEPOMAK was born in the course of the invasion however that it didn’t matter the place and when somebody was born, since if they arrive from Morphou, Kyrenia, or Varosi, they’ve heard of the ache and struggling.
Mr Tuton additionally stated that “our dream is a free united Cyprus the place Cypriots dwell and prosper collectively” and that those that say that after 50 years partition is inevitable are flawed. When he talks to younger Cypriots, he stated, they are saying they need a brighter future and acknowledge the alternatives that reunification of the island would carry. He referred to the Cypriot diaspora in the UK the place in some areas Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots coexist peacefully. Cyprus is split due to invasion and occupation and never due to variations amongst its folks, he famous, including that Turkey ought to cease its efforts to partition the island and let Cypriots decide their future.
In his personal greeting, the Greek Deputy International Minister Giorgos Kotsiras stated, amongst different issues, that Greece and Cyprus, in solidarity and united by fraternal ties, respect Worldwide Regulation and advance the frequent nationwide objective of a simply, definitive and mutually acceptable answer to the Cyprus challenge, on the premise of the selections of the UN Safety Council, noting that the undivided help for Cypriot Hellenism and Greece's dedication to safeguarding its unbroken entrance with the Republic of Cyprus is a given.
The Greek International Minister identified that the perpetuation of the present established order, or the creation of two states in Cyprus, should not acceptable options, neither for Greece, nor for Europe, stressing that the Cyprus challenge is a world challenge of unlawful invasion and occupation and the answer was and stays his highest nationwide precedence.
Mr. Kotsiras additionally talked about that one other vital challenge that unites the 2 international locations is that of the Diaspora, underlining that the contribution of the Diaspora organizations to the protection of nationwide claims is indeniable. He added that the wrestle for the awakening of the worldwide neighborhood and the definitive finish of the unlawful act imposed by Attila, additionally goes via the Diaspora, via the Greeks and Cypriots in exile.
The Greek official additionally talked about that the Greek Authorities ready and put to public session the Strategic Plan for Hellenism Overseas 2024-2027, with the principle intention of strengthening the ties of the metropolitan heart with the Greek Diaspora, the important and two-way communication with it , in addition to the strengthening of the Greek factor world wide. “We spend money on a nationwide capital relationship with the Diaspora and it in flip strengthens Hellenism, strengthens our voice, strengthens the voice of Cyprus”, he stated and concluded by saying that fifty years of occupation is quite a bit however nobody forgets.
In his personal greeting, the Archbishop of Cyprus George, after addressing to the emigrants wherever they’re and dwell the heartfelt greeting of the Church, famous that the annual convention of the Cypriot emigrants bears the trustworthy testimony of their unquenchable love for Cyprus, the sacred their want to save lots of Cyprus from the schemes of the Turkish invader and their undivided curiosity within the national-religious survival of our folks within the land of their fathers.
He then referred to the Cyprus challenge, talking of the criticality of the moments that the nationwide drawback is passing via, with Turkey remaining unmoved in its refusal to withdraw the invading troops and the settlers and to permit the refugees to return to their ancestral houses and nonetheless consolidating with every method finished and to strike the everlasting Turkification of our nation.
Archbishop Georgios reiterated to the convention delegates the place of the Church that “we must always place the issue in its correct dimensions as an issue of invasion and occupation and adamantly declare for ourselves what the remainder of the Europeans and the entire free world take pleasure in”.
“I’ve turn into annoying however I can’t cease repeating that we should additionally insist adamantly on free motion, free settlement, acquisition of property all through our homeland and utility of the democratic precept 'one man one vote' for the native inhabitants of Cyprus he stated, indicating that it will require the quick involvement of all expatriates and organizations to enlighten public opinion in addition to the governments of the international locations wherein they dwell and function.
He assured on the identical time that the Church won’t ever settle for the achievements of the invasion, not even a foul answer based mostly on “racist standards and divisions”, an answer, as he stated, which “won’t make sure the national-religious survival of the folks us, however quite the opposite it can endanger our homeland”.
He’s nonetheless not going to just accept an answer “which can make our folks second class. We’re European residents and we’re entitled but additionally demand to have and revel in all our human rights and all the fundamental freedom insurance policies that our fellow residents in Europe even have” he stated, indicating that though this wrestle is each troublesome and merciless “not however now we have one other alternative”.
The occasion was attended by members of the Council of Ministers, MPs and European Well being Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou, MEPs, social gathering representatives, representatives of occupied municipalities, and ambassadors of international international locations, amongst others.
The speeches have been preceded by an inventive program curated by Alexia Vassiliou and included a screening of the brief movie “Ceremony of Transition”, made in occupied Famagusta by Alexia Vassiliou and Valentina Karantoni, and musical narrations and songs by Alexia that advised the historical past of Cyprus in passing of the centuries. Amongst different issues, she carried out “Tillirkotissa” and the tune “Tis xenitias”. Alexia was accompanied by the musicians Rodos Panagiotou and Vassilis Charalambous.
