Fifty-two years is a long time, but not long enough to break our resolve, the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus said in a post on X marking 52 years since the second phase of the Turkish invasion, stressing that the struggle continues, driven by the historic duty to hand future generations a free and reunified homeland.
"Today marks 52 years since the fateful day of the second phase of the brutal Turkish invasion, which forcibly divided our homeland, placed it under occupation, displaced thousands of our compatriots and tragically shaped its modern history and future," the Presidency said.
It noted that, in violation of the ceasefire, Turkish military forces advanced to seize Famagusta and Morphou, "completing their plan to create the Attila line, which remains in place to this day".
The Presidency said it honours the fallen, the missing persons, the refugees and the enclaved, as well as "every citizen and every family who, to this day, carry the scars of the war".
"We honour all those who fought so that we could be free. Their sacrifice will be vindicated through the liberation of our homeland and our people from the shackles of occupation," it added.
At the same time, the Presidency said that the Republic of Cyprus is asking for "the most fundamental thing, what every person and every people deserves and is entitled to", for all lawful citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, without exception, "Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins", to have the right to enjoy exactly what all other European citizens enjoy.
"Fifty-two years is a long time, but not long enough to break our resolve", the Presidency stressed.
"We continue the struggle, with the historic duty to hand our children a free and reunified homeland", the post concluded.
