We will never compromise with partition
Statement by the General Secretary of AKEL, S. Stefanou, at the Memorial of the Fallen & Missing Persons in Deryneia
14 August 2023, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
Today is the 49th anniversary of the beginning of the second phase of the Turkish invasion. The first thing that comes to mind on this day is the treason committed against Cyprus that began with the fascist coup of the Greek Junta and EOKA B, which opened the back door for Turkey to invade. The coup not only opened the door to Turkey, but also made sure that it facilitated Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus and created a bridgehead in the first critical hours.
Those who betrayed Cyprus didn’t just betray Famagusta. These days our thoughts go especially to Famagusta, Morphou and all the towns that have been illegally occupied by Turkey ever since, because the coup leaders made sure that they left Famagusta unprotected and basically handed it over to Turkey without a fight. Adding to their treason, the day after the coupists called on the people to return to Famagusta, with the result that many Greek Cypriots – mainly families – were arrested by the Turkish occupying troops in the well-known Perdzhenas orchards and many Greek Cypriots have been missing ever since. A crime was committed there for which no one has been punished.
The 49th anniversary of the start of the second phase of the Turkish invasion is marked against the backdrop of increased Turkish provocativeness and intransigence in view of the fact that we are witnessing the longest deadlock ever recorded on the Cyprus problem, since the collapse of the Crans Montana Conference in 2017.
In placing our wreaths of gratitude and honor to all those who fought and fell for the freedom and independence of our homeland, for the defence of our Cyprus from the Turkish invasion, we want at the same time to reiterate our readiness, willingness and will to continue the struggle for a solution to the Cyprus problem.
At the present stage we are at, the solution to the Cyprus problem can be achieved through the resumption of the negotiations from the point where they were interrupted at Crans Montana, by continuing the negotiations on the basis of the Guterres Framework and by preserving the entire body of work achieved at the negotiations which has been built up after many years of painful and persistent efforts. We will never compromise with partition, because partition is a source of new adventures for Cyprus and our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike.
Today, we reiterate our call to all to continue this struggle. I am aware that the facts and conditions create pessimism, but we have no right whatsoever to abandon the struggle to solve the Cyprus problem. Only if the Cyprus problem is resolved, with a solution that will liberate and reunite our country, within the framework of a Bi-zonal, Bicommunal Federation with political equality as outlined in the relevant Resolutions of the United Nations, can we secure the future of our country. And we have an obligation to ensure the future that we will leave to our children and grandchildren.
