Α viable Cyprus solution remains President’s utmost non-negotiable position, Defence Minister says

Defence Redefined

Published on 04/07/2020 at 21:52

A viable solution to the Cyprus problem remains Cyprus President’s, Nicos Anastasiades, utmost non-negotiable position, Defence Minister Charalampos Petrides said, during a memorial service for late Chief of National Guard Lieutenant General Evangelos Florakis and other officers who were killed in an accident in Kouklia near Paphos.

The memorial for the five Officers who died while on duty on July 10, 2002 was held at the presence of the Defence Minister, the Chief and Deputy Chief of the National Guard, state and church officials as well as friends and relatives.

The Bishop of Paphos Georgios held the memorial service for the late Chief of National Guard Lieutenant General Evangelos Florakis, the Air Force Commander Brigadier Stylianos Demenagas, Squadron Leader Paris Athanasiadis, Commander (Navy) Nikolas Georgiou and Air Force Captain Michalis Siakallis. The service was held at Saint Lucas church in Kouklia at the presence of various officials.

Minister Petrides said that “today we pay tribute to the heroes, our modern history heroes, who lost their lives while on duty on July 10, 2002, the Chief together with his Officers. May their memory be eternal.”

He added that finding a viable solution that will end the Turkish occupation, a solution without guarantors and settlers, is the President’s utmost goal. The Minister also said that we need Cyprus to be a free and prosperous country where all basic human rights are safeguarded, adding that the solution must be in line and fully compatible with Cyprus’ status as an EU member state and must be based on the United Nations resolutions.

This, he added, will be the greatest honor for those who gave their lives not only during the fatal helicopter crash, but also for the various fights for Cyprus’ liberation.

In his speech the Community leader of Kouklia Michalakis Nikolaou said that it is our duty to honor the five heroes because they sacrificed their lives serving their country. The circumstances nowadays, due to the Turkish hostility and provocations, force us to take strength and courage from today’s memorial service and continue our duty towards our country.

A ceremony was held after the memorial service at the monument erected at the crash site.

With information from CNA

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