The sacrifice of the 105 men of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK) who have defended the Republic of Cyprus, will find justice only through the liberation of Cyprus, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Friday at a reception he hosted, in Nicosia, for the personnel of ELDYK, and visitors from the Hellenic Republic, on the occasion of the Hellenic Armed Forces Day.
‘After many years of delay’, the President said, the Republic of Cyprus is honoring today the men of the Hellenic Armed Forces who fought for the freedom of Cyprus.
In his address, President Christodoulides said that ‘it is with feelings of respect, feelings of national pride that I welcome you to the Presidential Palace at this modest ceremony that we are organizing in honor of the Greek Forces of Cyprus, on the occasion of today’s double celebration, the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Hellenic Armed Forces.’
The reception was attended by 15 of the men of ELDYK who served in Cyprus during the days of the barbaric Turkish invasion in 1974, President Christodoulides said.
‘These are the fighters who held the war flag of ELDYK high, who after many years of delay, the Republic of Cyprus honors today. These are the people who kept the Cypriot people standing at the time of great trial’, he stressed.
Finally, he expressed on behalf of the Greek Cypriots “our appreciation for the officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers of ELDYK who defended the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, writing stories of unparalleled strength and bravery.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.