Cyprus paid tribute to all those who lost their lives in the 1974 Turkish invasion, which resulted in the occupation of 37% of its territory, with President Nicos Anastasiades stressing that we continue to aim at reunifying and “rid the island of third-party dependencies.”

On Wednesday, representatives of the state gathered at the Makedonitissa Tomb, the military cemetary in Nicosia, where a memorial service was held, to commemorate all those who lost their lives and all those who are still missing.

Other officials and citizens also paid their respects. A minute’s silences was observed, wreaths were laid and the National Anthem was heard.

Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides represented President Anastasiades who contracted Covid-19, while Greek Deputy Minister of National Defence Nicos Hardalias represented the Greek government.

In a twitter post, Anastasiades said “today we honour the heroes which fell defending democracy and our country’s territorial integrity, the respected relatives of the missing persons, the prisoners and injured of war. 48 years after Cyprus suffers the invasion’s brutal consequences.”

He stressed that despite our efforts, Turkey continues to exhibit the same intransigence, adding “the Turkish insistence on unacceptable positions which do not comply with modern states derailed every negotiating process.”

“We will never accept the option of capitulation. Our aim remains that Cyprus should reunify and free from third-party dependencies, providing he prospect of peaceful coexistence for all its lawful citizens, in the framework of the acquis and the values of the EU,” he said.

In a different post, Anastasiades said that the sharp sound of the sirens which sounded 48 years after the Turkish invasion once more reminded us the heavy responsibility; this sad anniversary with our island divided and its citizens deprived of human rights should be the last.”