Statements by Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias and Archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus Georgios After their Meeting in Nicosia

Statements by Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias and Archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus Georgios After their Meeting in Nicosia

July 16, 2024

On Monday 15 July 2024, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendiasand the Archbishop of Justiniana and All Cyprus Georgios, upon conclusion of their meeting at the Archbishop's Residence of Nicosia, made the following statements:

JOURNALIST KOSTIS KONSTANTINOU (ERT): Your Beatitude, you first. There is a special symbolism today, exactly fifty years ago this building was on fire. Those who made the coup invaded and destroyed the Archbishop's Residence. Today the Minister of National Defence of Greece is here. I imagine he conveys a very special message. But first, I would like from you to express your thoughts for today's Anniversary and what to expect in the future.

ARCHBISHOP GEORGIOS: It is indeed a sad anniversary. Coups happen everywhere, but in areas like Cyprus where we are surrounded by many and stronger enemies than us, every collapseof Democracy has many, great consequences and we are still experiencing these consequences, the Turkification of our homeland.

For this, we are pleased that the Minister of National Defence of Greece comes this day to tell us that those who made the Coup had nothing to do with either Greece or Hellenism, they were just speaking Greek and that Greece stands by our side. We are part of the Nation and we cannot differentiate our moves.

JOURNALIST KOSTIS KONSTANTINOU (ERT): Thank you very much. Minister, I imagine there is a special symbolism. You have said it before in the meeting with the President of the Republic.

NIKOS DENDIAS: It is obvious that I did not "just happen" to be here today, the 15^thof July, 50 years after the junta coup which was the back door for the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

It is particularly unpleasant that 50 years have passed and the consequences of this illegal invasion, completely contrary to International Law, still remain. We are at Nicosia, the last divided city, in violation of the principles of International Law, in violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter.

But, as Minister of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic, and interpreting the thoughts of all Greeks all over the world, I want to say that Cyprus lies absolutely near. For Hellenism, for the Hellenic Armed Forces, Cyprus lies near.