International law, principles and our will for a reunified homeland are the answer to Turkey’s continued intransigence and provocative stance, House acting President, Zacharias Koulias, said on Thursday.

Speaking before the plenary on the occasion of Cyprus Independence Day, on October 1st, he said that our independence was not granted to us but was earned with sacrifices and blood.

He said that the 1955-59 EOKA liberation struggle paved the way for freedom but the path was full of obstacles and the 1974 junta coup and Turkish invasion brought pain, refugees, dead and missing.

Koulias noted that we honor all those who sacrificed their lives, adding that their sacrifice is a constant reminder of our sacred duty to continue the struggle for liberation and reunification of our country.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Source: Parikiaki.com