President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine Tassoulas attended celebrations for Armed Forces Day in the Republic of Cyprus on Friday, at the invitation of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides.
During the visit, President Tassoulas attended a mass at the Cathedral of Apostle Barnabas, after which he met Archibishop George III of Nova Justiniana and All Cyprus to discuss issues of common interest, including the donations made by the Church of Cyprus to the Greek armed forces.
The Greek president’s next stop was the camp of the Hellenic Force of Cyprus (ELDYK) for a ceremony paying tribute to the flag, where he made the following statement: “I feel moved and proud to be here in Cyprus today, on the anniversary of Armed Forces Day. On this day, we honour the struggles and sacrifices of the Greek Armed Forces for the defence of freedom, national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of our country. The Greek nation stands with awe and gratitude before the men and women who, with democratic ideals, self-denial and a sense of responsibility daily guarantee not only the security and prosperity of the Greek people but the honour of all Hellenism, wherever it may be found.”
Tassoulas pointed out that since 1960, when it first arrived on the island republic, ELDYK has steadfastly defended international legality, the security and status of the Cyprus Republic and served as proof of Greece’s tangible support for Cypriot Hellenism, highlighting the unparalleled acts of bravery by those serving in the ELDYK force in 1974, in a fight against superior forces to defend the parts of Cyprus that were still free, including the fierce battle within ELDYK’s camp on August 14-16 of that year.
“This will always remain etched in our collective memory, to remind us that freedom cannot be taken for granted but is won with blood and sweat. The sacrifice of the heroes, the fallen and missing of ELDYK, leaves a sacred legacy for us all,” he added.
President Tassoulas stressed that Greece and Cyprus, united by age-old bonds of brotherhood, will continue a joint struggle for a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, which is based on UN resolutions and the European acquis. He noted that this must end the occupation and reunite Cyprus into a peaceful, democratic and European state for the benefit of all its legal inhabitants, without exception. He emphasised that Greece is steadfastly dedicated to this goal and that ELDYK’s presence was a symbol that Greece does not forget.
Ending his address, the president also referred to the 750 Greeks and Cypriots, including 26 members of ELDYK, whose whereabouts were still unaccounted for, 50 years after the Turkish invasion of the island, stressing that Greece will never stop supporting efforts to uncover what happened to them.
Tassoulas then laid a wreath at the Monument to the Fallen and Missing Heroes of ELDYK and was shown around the force’s Military Museum.
