Speech by the General Secretary of AKEL Stefanos Stefanou on the anniversary of the assassination of comrades Costas Misiaoulis and Dervis Ali Kavazoglou

 

Sunday, 5 April 2026, Dali

Fellow compatriots,

Dear friends,

For yet another year, we have gathered here in Dali to honor with respect and emotion the memory of our comrades, Costas Misiaoulis and Dervis Ali Kavazoglou. These two true sons of our homeland Cyprus, who through their sacrifice shown us the path of struggle for our common homeland.

Two compatriots from different communities, yet with a shared vision. Two people who dared to stand up against hatred, fanaticism, and partition. Who raised the voice of their left conscience at a time when fanaticism and intolerance reigned.

Their sacrifice was not merely a tragic moment in history. It was a conscious stand taken against nationalism, division, and violence. At a time when others were building walls, they were building bridges.

Their murder was not some accidental moment. It was an attempt by far-right nationalists to silence hope. To erase the examples of peaceful coexistence and cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. It was an attempt to let fear subdue resistance. To permit hatred prevail over solidarity. To let division prevail over unity.

But they failed!

They failed because, following in the footsteps of Misiaoulis and Kavazoglou, thousands of our fellow compatriots—who share the same vision as our heroes—have marched and continue to march: faithful to the vision of a common homeland.

We did not permit the sacrifice of Misiaoulis and Kavazoglou to be forgotten. On the contrary, we have turned it into a symbol. We have turned it into a beacon that lights the path of the struggle for reunification, for lasting peace, for cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots within the framework of a bicommunal Cypriot state.

Misiaoulis and Kavazoglou, remaining unwaveringly faithful to the ideals of AKEL and the Left, taught us that Cyprus belongs to its people, that it belongs to its citizens: Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians, and Latins.

They taught us that the true, genuine patriotic stance is not nationalism and intolerance, but the struggle for peace, justice, and coexistence between the two Cypriot communities.

Today, at a time when the Cyprus problem remains unresolved and the prospect of reunification is being tested, we must ask ourselves in all honesty the following question: Where do we stand in relation to the vision of a solution of the Cyprus problem?

The Cyprus problem remains in a prolonged deadlock. The longest-lasting impasse yet. And, unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that  there is any prospect of the negotiations resuming. The strategy of focusing on Confidence Building Measures has clearly failed. Instead of creating prospects, it has become an obstacle. The time has come for us to attempt to go straight to the essence of the Cyprus problem, preserving of course the negotiating acquis (body of work) that has been built up with great effort and hard work over all the previous years.

The prolonged deadlock on the Cyprus problem is consolidating the Turkish occupation day by day. Instead of being viewed as a temporary anomaly, the de facto partition risks becoming a permanent reality.

At the same time, Turkey is insisting on a two-state solution, undermining the agreed framework of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality. In the face of this situation, a decisive, consistent, and proactive strategy is demanded on our part for a  resumption of the talks, one characterized by clear messages and initiatives, without any ambiguities or pompous sloganeering. What matters most is the solution, not pandering to any specific audiences ahead of elections—parliamentary and presidential.

It is with concern that we note the growing number of voices that are fuelling nationalism and division, fostering mistrust between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, rather than building trust.

And as if that were not enough, Cyprus’s involvement in broader geopolitical plans in the region and the adoption of the logic of axes not only perpetuate the dangers our people are facing, but also create new ones. We envision our Cyprus as a bridge of peace and cooperation, not as an unsinkable aircraft carrier for waging imperialist interventions.

In the face of this reality, the message of sacrifice conveyed by Misiaoulis and Kavazoglou is more urgent than ever.

This message calls on us:

• To reject partition.
• To insist on a solution that reunites our homeland and people.
• To strengthen cooperation between the two communities.
• To resist nationalism, wherever it comes from
• Let us not succumb to the illusions that some are trying to cultivate with their petty nationalist “Great Idea” narrative and empty rhetoric.

The real tribute to our heroes is not through words but action.

It is the continuation of their struggle. It is the preservation of the prospect of reunification, even when other forces/circles abandon it.

Misiaoulis and Kavazoglou did not compromise with any division. They were not afraid to go against the tide of their time.

The question is: Will we do the same today?

Our answer is decisive and clear: we will never compromise with partition. We will continue to serve the policy of a solution and reunification, which our heroes put into practice, even at the cost of their very own lives. This policy is based first and foremost on our responsibility toward our homeland and people.

And it is precisely here that another, profound dimension of the legacy left to us by Misiaoulis and Kavazoglou comes to light.

Politics is not about managing day-to-day affairs or engaging in public relations/communication games. It is not about striking a balance based on short-term political costs, nor is it about opportunistically adapting to circumstances by abandoning long-standing timeless goals.

Politics is responsibility.

• Responsibility towards the homeland.
• Responsibility towards the people.
• Responsibility toward history, but also toward future generations

In a divided country, under occupation and with an extended ceasefire line, but also facing other major problems and challenges, politics must have a compass and a direction. It must not follow events, but shape them. It must not be trapped in stagnation, but open up new paths.

This is precisely what gives meaning to politics:

• The willingness to bear the cost for the common good.
• Speaking the truth, even when it is difficult.
• Standing by principles, even when they are unpopular
• Submitting concrete proposals to solve problems.

This is precisely what AKEL has consistently done throughout its century-long history. This is a key element of its great contribution to our country. AKEL is a force for stability and progress, as it always works for society and not for the vested interests of the select few and the privileged.

Today, when what you see as an image overshadows substance, we need more than ever a politics:

• that serves the people and not the image,
• that builds a vision rather than merely managing dead ends,
• that seriously tackles the solution of problems,
• that unites rather than divides.

We always unite people and do not divide them. Even when Grivas’ mask-hooded fascists were murdering and brutally assaulting our members and supporters, we always rose above the provocations for the good of our people. This long-standing stance of our Party is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it is proof of our strength. A strength we draw from the people. We transform this strength into action for the good of our Cyprus, our society, workers, and common people.

We stand worthy of the sacrifice of comrades Misiaoulis and Kavazoglou and keep the concept of responsibility at the heart of our political action.

Because only in this way can we hope for a different future for our homeland.

Honoring, then, the memory of our two Heroes, we must continue to give content to the word “reunification.” We must transform the solution to the Cyprus problem from a slogan into political action.

That is what we have done, and that is what we will continue to do, because for us, Cyprus and our people come first.

This is our duty in the face of our heroes’ sacrifice.

This is our own wager with history. A wager we will win through our relentless struggles!

Long live our Cyprus

Long live our people!

May the memory of our heroes live on forever!