President Nikos Christodoulides has said he will raise the issue of allowing excavations in the so-called military areas controlled by the Turkish occupation army during his upcoming joint meeting with the UN Secretary-General and the Turkish Cypriot leader, expressing hope for a positive response.
Speaking at a memorial event honouring Cyprus' missing persons at the Panorama of the Missing in Kornos, the President also pledged to intensify efforts to determine the fate of all missing persons. He further announced that a Memorandum of Cooperation has been prepared between the defence ministries of Cyprus and Greece to help strengthen these efforts.
Christodoulides said that, given the intensive work currently under way on all levels, the goal is to accelerate excavations.
"At this moment, excavations are taking place in Agia, Assia, Gerolakkos, Lapithos, Exo Metochi and Livadia, while another 120 sites are awaiting excavation, some of which are in so-called military areas designated as such by the occupation army," he said.
He added that in all his meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader he has submitted written requests on the matter.
"If they truly want confidence-building measures, the simplest and easiest measure is to allow excavations in all these areas for which information exists. I hope there will be a response. This is also an issue that will be discussed during the joint meeting with the UN Secretary-General," he said.
A humanitarian issue
The President said words are inadequate to express the emotions associated with what he described as the humanitarian tragedy of Cyprus' missing persons.
"The spouses, children, siblings and, above all, the grieving parents of the missing are the victims of this crime, which becomes more painful with every passing year and every passing day," he said.
Addressing relatives of the missing, Christodoulides said the state's effort would not end until the fate of every missing person is established.
"Our conscience will never rest if we do not determine the fate of even the last missing person," he said.
Recalling an encounter before the ceremony, he spoke of a woman holding a photograph of her brother.
"She told me that her brother had been found and buried after his remains were identified. Yet she said she would continue to be here until the fate of the last missing person is known. Her words summarise our responsibility and our goal regarding this purely humanitarian issue," he said.
Call for access to archives
Christodoulides said the determination of the fate of all missing persons remains the government's foremost priority.
He criticised Turkey for continuing to refuse access to the archives of the occupation army, saying such access would undoubtedly help establish the fate of all missing persons.
According to the President, of the 1,619 Greek Cypriots listed as missing, only 764 have been identified, representing about 51 per cent, while the fate of 746 others remains unresolved.
Of the 81 Greek nationals who went missing while serving in Cyprus, only 19 have been identified by the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), most of them members of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK).
He said the issue of missing persons is raised at every opportunity and, when no opportunity exists, the government creates one.
Referring to the European Union, he welcomed the recent appointment by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of an executive vice-president as the Commission's representative for the Cyprus issue.
He urged organisations representing relatives of the missing to seek a meeting with Mr Fitto, saying the EU, as a union founded on principles and values, should play a stronger role.
Assia missing persons
The President made special reference to the missing persons of Assia, particularly in relation to the Mia Milia area.
He criticised explanations that excavations could not proceed because of the cost associated with infrastructure projects financed by the European Union.
"These are unacceptable responses from the Turkish side and the Turkish Cypriot side," he said, adding that excavations should begin immediately in the area.
Support measures
Christodoulides congratulated both the Pancyprian Organisation of Relatives of Undeclared Prisoners and Missing Persons and the Panhellenic Committee of Parents and Relatives of Undeclared Prisoners and Missing Persons of the Cyprus Tragedy for their work.
He acknowledged that the state had been slow to respond to certain requests from relatives of the missing.
"As a state, since 1974, we have been late in responding to many of your requests. Tonight I want to apologise for the omissions of the state since 1974," he said.
The President noted that the government had recently approved amendments to the scheme providing care allowances to war prisoners and victims of the 1974 war, aimed at strengthening support for those who sacrificed for the country.
He also announced the allocation of a permanent building for the Anthropological Laboratory of the Republic of Cyprus, describing it as an important and long-overdue step.
In addition, he said economic criteria such as income and savings would be abolished for widows of fallen soldiers, spouses of missing persons and parents of the fallen and missing when accessing home-care services.
Cyprus-Greece cooperation
Christodoulides also revealed that a long-discussed memorandum of cooperation between the defence ministries of Cyprus and Greece had finally been prepared and would soon be signed.
He said the agreement would help both countries intensify efforts to obtain information concerning missing persons.
Concluding his address, the President honoured the parents who died without learning the fate of their children and praised younger generations who continue to keep the memory of the missing alive.
"Looking you in the eyes, I promise that we will intensify our efforts and this struggle will not end even if there remains only one missing person. It is the least we owe to all of you, to your parents, siblings and children, because had they not stood on the front line, the Republic of Cyprus would not exist today."
Source: CNA
