It is our duty to continue fighting so that the issue of the missing is not forgotten, Defense Minister Michalis Giorgallas said on Friday after a prayer to find the missing and a Trisay for the fallen of the Turkish invasion as well as an invitation to the missing, at the Tomb of Makedonitissa.
The relatives once again sent the message that time is the enemy and that as the years go by more efforts are needed to not forget a subject that many are comfortable ignoring.
The event was part of the events of the 38th Marathon of Love for the Missing and was attended by the Speaker of the Parliament, the Ambassador of Greece, MPs, other officials and the leadership of the National Guard and ELDYK, and relatives of the missing. Children from the Deuteras Primary School laid flowers on the graves of the missing and recited the poem "Passer beware", by Vassilis Rotas.
A fight against the odds that our missing persons will never be found, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs Michalis Giorgallas in his greeting said that ascertaining the fate of our own people who have been missing for decades can be considered the most tragic aspect of all the sufferings and with them their families are also irreparably affected and experience tragic and long-lasting effects.
He said that our constant goal is not only to raise our missing persons, but also to fight against the odds that they will never be found. He added that we have an inalienable right to know and an obligation to continue the struggle.
He added that this is the goal of the tireless actions of the team of expert scientists, who act in the context of the mission of the Commission of Inquiry for the Missing Persons in Cyprus.
"As a government, we state unequivocally that we will never give up the effort until the last missing compatriot is found. We demand the international factor to exert all its influence towards the occupying authorities and Turkey in order to support the effort to find the missing persons of Cyprus and to end once and for all the drama and the agony of their relatives", he said.
Mr. Giorgallas also said that events such as today's remind us of the heavy debt we owe to our history and traditions, to our heroically fallen and missing, who demonstrated self-denial and self-sacrifice to the end to defend freedom, democracy and justice. They particularly remind, he said, of the responsibility and debt we have towards our children and future generations.
Greetings from relatives of Cypriot and Greek missing persons and strong messages
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The President of the Pan-Cypriot Organization of Relatives of the Missing, Nikos Sergidis, said that with due respect we bow to the greatness of the sacrifice of our fallen and place amaranth flowers on their graves. We honor, he said, those who, although they knew the outcome of the unequal battle, remained on the ramparts of debt to stop the advance of the Turks, giving the lesson that the most honorable and holiest of all is the homeland.
He said that our heroes saved our betrayed dignity and beyond the honors, today's event is also a rebaptism of the fighting spirit and a renewal of the promise for freedom and justice.
"As long as it depends on us, the relatives, we will continue wisely and aggressively for reunification and restoration of freedoms and rights and for the return of refugees and vindication of the struggle of our missing relatives. This is a humanitarian and patriotic imperative and obligation to the heroes and their families," he said. Mr. Sergidis mentioned that we have the most powerful side of all, justice and the unwavering mental strength and perseverance and faith that we will be vindicated.
The President of the Panhellenic Committee of Relatives of Missing Persons, Maria Kalbourtzi, said that the marathon of love for missing persons was established in the consciousness of relatives in Cyprus and Greece and every year we renew the promise for the self-evident aspects of our struggle.
He said that approaching half a century of Turkey's claim and refusal to cooperate, the relatives still have the right to the truth.
He called on Turkey to cooperate and the international community to join forces so that the obvious becomes a reality. He also mentioned that tolerating taunting and intransigence perpetuates pain. Mrs. Kalbourtzi said that as time passes and generations change, there is the risk of fatigue, forgetfulness and futility and a multiple effort is required to maintain a topic that some people are comfortable consciously ignoring.
He pointed to the need for continued cooperation between Greece and Cyprus, saying that it is an absolute priority to exchange experiences and means to study each file with information on missing persons.
To teach the new generations, said Bishop Grigorios
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The Bishop of Mesaoria Grigorios in his own greeting said that in such moments in this holy place we are all taught, especially our students.
We teach our history and tradition, and culture and wished that such evil would never find our place again calling everyone to remember and commemorate as we do today.
"May God give strength and wisdom to our rulers to resist those near and far for the justice of our country," said Bishop Grigorios.
Source: KYPE
