Ahepa conference affirms Cyprus not forgotten

Promoting Cyprus’ geostrategic role as a pillar of stability and security in the region strengthens its own efforts for a viable and functional solution of the Cyprus problem, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday.

Archbishop Georgios said any talks for a solution should be under certain preconditions and warned against indolence, which would ultimately lead to Cyprus’ turkification.

Addressing the opening of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Ahepa) convention in Limassol, Christodoulides said overseas Hellenism contributed to the collective effort for a solution.

Christodoulides said the Ahepa convention was taking place for the first time in Cyprus, adding that this held deep symbolism, especially as it coincided with the 50th anniversary since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

The president referred to the invasion and its consequences, as well as the Turkish positions.

Despite the circumstances, “we continue our efforts to restart negotiations,” he said.

“We utilise the comparative geopolitical advantages of our country to promote the stability, security and welfare of all the countries of the broader region of the eastern Mediterranean,” he added.

Christodoulides said Cyprus was undertaking “initiatives aiming at offering solutions to issues of international interest”.

“With such initiatives, we prove in practice that we are not part of the problem, but part of the solution,” he added.

Addressing the convention, Archbishop Georgios said talks should resume only under certain preconditions “if we will have any hope of success”.

“Indolence or unwillingness to carry out one’s duty or enticement by any lures will ultimately lead to Cyprus turkification,” the archbishop said.

He said talks so far have “burdened our side with unilateral concessions”.

“Whenever we accept one of Turkey’s demands, she moves to a bigger demand,” he said.

The archbishop said Turkey always uses the talks to promote its own goals, which is to seize and turkify the whole of Cyprus.

He said it was necessary for the Greek Cypriot side to take on a new approach.

“We must undertake an international awareness crusade,” he said, explaining that “foreigners forget, they don’t know and the don’t remember the invasion and the continuing occupation of 37 per cent of an independent state.”

Ahepa supreme president Savas Tsivicos said everyone should know that “the limits of Hellenism are being tried in Cyprus.”

“We are here to declare with you that we do not forget, we continue the struggle, no matter how many years pass,” he said.

He added that “as long as there are Turkish troops and anachronistic alliances, no solution will ever be found.”

“Cyprus is just the beginning, because the Turks don’t stop in Cyprus,” he said.

Tsivicos added that the Turks “question Greece’s sovereign rights on a daily basis, they question Greek islands, half of the Aegean, Thrace, and that is why we must be careful in our approach”.

“The two symbols of Christianity in Constantinople have been turned into mosques,” he said and wondered what Turkey would do if someone dared to do the same to Turkey.

Tsivicos assured that “we are with you, we are present in every corner of America and the whole of Europe, Canada, Australia, till Odessa and Dubai.”

“We are here to tell you that we, the Hellenes of the Diaspora, do not forget,” he said.

However, he pointed out that they would not bow to “any form of solution just for the sake of a solution”.

During the opening session, Tsivicos presented Cyprus’ Archbishop Georgios with the Ahepa Archbishop Iakovos Humanitarian Award.

He also presented Archbishop of America Elpidoforos with the Ahepa Freedom for Cyprus Award.

Archbishop Elpidoforos expressed support to the Cypriots, adding that Cyprus’ aim for reunification was the wish of Hellenism as a whole.

He announced the completion of architectural plans for the “House of Cyprus” in Astoria, New York, which will serve as a cultural centre promoting Cyprus.

On Tuesday, Elpidoforos will be meeting with House president Annita Demetriou.

In the evening, the deputy ministry of tourism will be hosting an event in Larnaca in the framework of the Ahepa convention.

The event will be attended by the House president, who will be presented with an award.