If we want to prevent Turkey’s destructive plans, we need a new approach from our side, with an international crusade to inform the world about the true dimensions of the Cyprus issue, said Archbishop George of Cyprus, emphasizing that the resumption of talks should only occur under certain conditions.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the AHEPA World Congress in Limassol on Monday evening, Archbishop George stated that we must realize “that our generation has the sad but honorable privilege to fight to ensure the continuation of Hellenism in Cyprus, as it has been handed down from more than 100 generations of our Greek ancestors.”
“Lethargy or unwillingness to fulfill our duty or the allure of any attractions will ultimately lead to the Turkification of Cyprus,” he said, adding that, given that we have lived and survived in more difficult situations, “we must patiently endure any hardships and strive for a fair and just solution to our problem.”
Noting that the talks so far on the Cyprus issue “have burdened our side with many unilateral concessions,” as “whenever we accept a demand from Turkey, it moves on to another larger one,” Archbishop George stressed that Turkey always uses the talks to advance its long-standing goals, now clearly showing that the ultimate goal is the occupation and Turkification of all of Cyprus.
“In the decade of 1964-1974, it negotiated to gain time to prepare its landing fleet, and after the invasion, it used the talks to solidify the status quo and deceive the foreigners regarding its intentions,” he continued, adding that “today, with some foreigners deceived and others supporting it due to their own interests, it tries to trap us into a false solution that will soon collapse, opening the way for the Turkification of our homeland.”
Emphasizing that “if we want to succeed and prevent Turkey’s destructive plans, a new approach from us is needed,” the Archbishop said we must undertake an international crusade to inform the world about the true dimensions of the problem, noting that “foreigners forget, don’t know, or don’t remember the invasion and the ongoing occupation of 37% of an independent state.”
He highlighted the double responsibility of all of us to endure any difficulties and give our Government the ability to manage our national issue properly and inform those who are unaware, both within and outside Cyprus, about the true dimensions of our problem.
He also stressed that “before any talks, we must demand the fulfillment of certain conditions” and expressed the view that “only then will we have hope for success.”
He mentioned that while today “interest rules international relations, no one can deny us the rights that everyone enjoys: free movement, property ownership, residence in our homeland, and the principle of one person, one vote.”
At the same time, he expressed his regret if his speech upset some people, “but I felt it was right to remind everyone of the Church’s positions on our national issue, the main problem we face because, without a proper solution, everything else is in vain.”
Repeating that Turkey’s goal is the occupation of all of Cyprus and “the expulsion of our people from their ancestral homes,” he urged everyone not to hesitate and together “let us work to thwart its plans and ensure our physical and national survival in the land our fathers bequeathed to us.”
Addressing the leadership and members of AHEPA, Archbishop George said that their presence in Cyprus for this year’s congress, on the sad anniversary of 50 years of Turkish invasion and occupation, testifies to their love for the island and its place in their thoughts.
Saying that expatriates remember their homeland as they left it, with its principles, values, ideals, pursuits, customs, and traditions, he noted that “we, living daily in Cyprus, did not resist compromise and compromised in many things, following the easy path, without feeling the seriousness of our shift from principles and ideals and the consequences for us and our children.” He continued, saying that it is here that we need expatriates, “to sound the alarm and raise our awareness.”
During the opening ceremony, which was inaugurated by the President of the Republic, the Supreme President of AHEPA, Savvas Tsivikos, presented Archbishop George of Cyprus with the “AHEPA Archbishop Iakovos Humanitarian Award.”
Source: Cyprus News Agency
