If the events of 1974 – coup and invasion – are to become a lesson, then “we must look the people of Cyprus in the eye and not hide behind repeated slogans,” President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday.
Speaking after a memorial service in Nicosia, the first event of the day to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1974 coup planned by the Athens Junta and executed with the participation of Eoka B in Cyprus, Christodoulides said that “if we want to move forward, we must be honest.”
The coup’s aim was to overthrow President and Archbishop of Cyprus Makarios III.
Makarios fled the country and returned to Cyprus a few months later to resume his presidential duties.
In the meantime, on July 20, 1974, just five days after the coup, Turkey invaded Cyprus.
Sirens wailed at 8.20am on Monday, time the coup started.
At 8.30am, Christodoulides and his government attended the memorial service in Nicosia, followed by the laying of wreaths at the graves of those who fell defending the Republic.
Memorial services were also held across the island.
At 11am, an extraordinary House plenary will convene to condemn the coup and invasion.
Speaking to the press after the service, Christodoulides said “we are here to honour all those who fought to defend the most important thing we have, which is the Republic of Cyprus.”
The president said it was important “to respect different views and approaches” so as not to perpetuate “toxic feelings”.
“We, who participate in the public dialogue, have the responsibility to make sure that there will never again be such conditions.”
The president said he wanted to be “honest and bold towards the people of Cyprus.”
He said those truly responsible have not been punished.
“We all know who they are,” he noted.
“If we truly want these days to be a lesson to us, we must look the people of Cyprus in the eye and not hide behind repeated slogans, because that is what they are – slogans. So, if we want to move forward, we must be honest,” he pointed out.
