AKEL on the 65th anniversary of Cypus Independence
We honor Independence by raising our homeland’s flag
1st October 2025, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
AKEL honors the 65th anniversary of Cyprus’ independence by paying tribute and glory to all the heroes of our homeland and people. To the fighters of the liberation struggle who confronted British colonialism from every front: in the armed struggle and mass popular demonstrations, in the strikes and campaigns of civil disobedience, in the prisons, torture chambers, the gallows, and in exile.
We honor the heroes and martyrs of Greek-Turkish friendship who clashed with nationalism, which undermined the foundations of the Republic of Cyprus from the very beginning. We pay tribute to the defenders of Democracy against the Turkish-NATO aggressions and partitionist plans, against the treacherous EOKA B and the Greek junta fascism. To the children of the Cypriot people who heroically defended the freedom of our homeland in the unequal battle against the hordes of Turkey’s Attila invading army.
The Republic of Cyprus — despite being burdened with the commitments set out by the Zurich-London Agreements as a result of an inter-NATO compromise — was and is a tremendous achievement for our people. It was and is a shield for our homeland and a bulwark of struggle for its survival and freedom.
AKEL reiterates in every direction and on the occasion of the anniversary of Cyprus independence that the Republic of Cyprus is neither “defunct” as the occupying power Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership claim, nor is it a second Greek state as Greek Cypriot nationalism considers. The Republic of Cyprus is an independent bi-communal state that belongs to all Cypriot citizens, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians, Maronites, and Latins.
At the same time, AKEL points out that the anniversary should be an occasion for reflection and contemplation on the historical mistakes and chauvinistic crimes that were committed, as well as on the nationalist obsessions that permeate modern Cypriot history and which opened the front and back doors to the foreign interventions, leading to the tragedy of 1974 and the de facto partition of our island.
AKEL honors this anniversary by proudly flying high the Cypriot flag, the banner of our homeland and struggle, while at the same time sending a message of unity to the entire Cypriot people in the struggle against the occupation and partition of our homeland. The obstacles and difficulties that are being posed primarily by the partitionist demands of the Erdogan-Tatar duo must not lead us to abandon the goal of the solution of the Cyprus issue.
Only a solution to the Cyprus problem on the agreed basis and framework can pave the way for the liberation and reunification of Cyprus, for a future of peace and security for all Cypriots.
01.10.2025
