Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-07-19

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus solution in framework of UN, EU values

[02] Athens events marking Cyprus invasion 'anniversary'

[03] Greek parliament delegation in Cyprus for events marking 35th 'anniversary' of Turkish invasion

[04] President honored by US Cretans

[05] Alavanos addresses SYRIZA meeting

[01] Cyprus solution in framework of UN, EU values

"The anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus is a day of remembrance and tribute. It is, at the same time, an opportunity for reaffirming the steadfast devotion of the entire Hellenism to the goal of a permanent, just, functional and viable solution of the Cyprus issue," the premier said in a written message.

"The framework within which the solution is sought is a given fact: It is the resolutions of the UN Security Council. It is the values and principles of the European Union," the message said.

"The agreement that we all hope will emerge from the ongoing negotiations must bear the stamp of both communities, without the interventions of third parties and without manufactured timetables. The basis of the negotiation is a bizonal, bi-communal federation with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and a single nationality," the premier continued.

"Thirty-five years after the Cyprus tragedy, Greece and the Greek people 'do not forget'. We are fighting -- and we will fight to the final vindication -- for the demolition of the last remaining wall which, unfortunately still remains standing, on European territory," the message concluded.

[02] Athens events marking Cyprus invasion 'anniversary'

The two-day events are organised by the Association of Cypriots of Greece and the Cypriot Embassy in Athens.

Speakers at Sunday's events voiced concern that the 35-year delay in resolving the Cyprus issue was rendering the Turkish occupation of the northern part of the island republic a permanent situation.

Apart from church services, Sunday's events including a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in central Syntagma Square, as well as the inauguration of a two-day exhibition at the Syntagma Metro station.

Representing the government at Sunday's events, deputy development minister George Vlachos stressed that the only exit from the impasse the Cyprus issue was in was the path of conciliation, adding that the collective security and prosperity of the Cypriot people and respect of the human rights was a condition for any solution reached.

"We look forward to a united and free Cyprus i which all its inhabitants will live equally, regardless of language, nationality and relibion," Vlachos concluded.

On behalf of the Greek parliament, House vice-president Anastasios Nerantzis said that the continuing Turkish provocations were proof that Turkey's practice remained unchanged, and warned that this would be taken into consideration by the international and European communities.

[03] Greek parliament delegation in Cyprus for events marking 35th 'anniversary' of Turkish invasion

The Hellenic parliament delegation is led by ruling New Democracy MP Krinio Kanellopoulou, who also chairs the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and defence, ND deputy Maria Kolla-Tsaroucha, main opposition PASOK MP Alexandros Athanassiadis, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) MP Haralambos Haralambous, Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) MP Sophia Andriopoulou, and Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) MP George Georgiou.

In the morning, the delegation attended a memorial service for the 56 officers and conscripts of the Greek Force in Cyprus (ELDYK) who died in the Turkish invasion, as well as a service for the recovery of the 37 ELDYK men who went missing in the invasion.

Wreaths were laid at the ELDYK monument by Cyprus defence minister Costas Papacostas, Greece's ambassador to Cyprus Vassilis Papaioannou on behalf of the Greek government, MP Kanellpoulou on behalf of the Greek parliament, and ELDYK commander colonel George Thalassinos.

Kanellopoulou told ANA-MPA that the Hellenic parliament honors the heros who died or went mission in the Turkish invasion, which she said was "one of the most dramatic moments in the history of Cyprus and Greece".

"It is our duty to fight with all our strength for a just and viable solution of the Cyprus issue," she added.

The Cyprus defence minister presented honorary plaques to ELDYK soldiers who survived the invasion.

[04] President honored by US Cretans

The award was presented to Papoulias at a ceremony on Saturday evening, durin which the Association's president Manolis Velivassakis noted that the award was being presented to the President of the Hellenic Republic in a gesture of appreciation for his contribution to the ecumenical Hellenism.

Papoulias, in turn, expressed great joy in being on Crete once again and warmly thanked the Association for the honor bestowed on him.

He said he felt Crete was like a home to him, since his grandfather, Lt. Napoleon Papoulias, had been heavily wounded during the 1897 battle of Voukolia for the town's liberation.

Papoulias also noted that the late statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, after whom the award is named, had undisputably been one of the biggest figures of modern-day Hellenism, and his struggles, political abilities, acuteness of spirit in difficult eras had placed their seal on the country's course.

Greece, he added, does not forget Crete's contribution during the hard times, such as the Turkish yoke, the Balkan wars with the Cretan volunteers in Epirus and Macedonia, and the Battle of Crete during the nazi occupation.

Papoulias further congratulated the Association for its dynamic and impressive work in the US.

Present at the ceremony, among other officials, was foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, who inaugurated the convention.

A banquet was also held in Papoulias' honor on Saturday night, hosted by the secretary general of the Crete Periphery Serafeim Tsokas and addressed by Bakoyannis and Tsokas.

[05] Alavanos addresses SYRIZA meeting

Referring to SYRIZA's drop in percentages in the Euroelections, Alavanos asked "why shouldn't we be the third party in the Europolls", noting that that had been a difficult mission "but not outside our abilities".

He said that although SYRIZA's momentum had been greatly diminished, "it is nevertheless not a 'shipwreck'," and attributed blame for the electoral result to the alliance's steering organ as well as to himself.

Alavanos explained that there were differing views among the component trends of SYRIZA, but noted that it was possible for all the trends to unite behind a common prospect.

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