Australia Marks Turkish Invasion of Cyprus

The Minister for Health of the Republic of Cyprus, Petros Petridis, will represent the Cypriot government during the events for the 39th anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus in 1974.

The events, which will be held in various state capitals of Australia, are organized by the Pan Australian Coordinative Committee for the Cyprus Struggle (PASEKA).

According to the program, on July 11, Cypriots and Greeks will gather outside the Turkish Consulate in Melbourne, where they will protest peacefully and will demand the withdrawal of all Turkish troops from Cyprus, as well as an end to the occupation. On July 12, a human chain will be created on the steps of the State Parliament in Victoria.

Petridis, who is expected to arrive in Australia on July 11, will transfer the militant greetings of the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and his assurance that the struggle for the withdrawal of the Turkish occupational troops and for Cyprus’ reunification will continue.

“Finding a fair and viable solution to the Cypriot issue, based on the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and aligned with the principles and values underlying the European Union, is a high priority of the Cypriot Government,” Petridis said.

“Unshakeable goal remains the dissolution of the walls of separation and the peaceful living in a Cyprus that will be Dominant, Federal, Bi-zonal, Bi-communal and prosperous,” he added.

“What matters most of all at this exact moment for the Cypriot government is the stabilization of the financial situation. Despite the difficult economic conditions, there is faith and certainty that Cyprus will manage to reborn once again and return to the road of development and prosperity, something that it has done many times in the past,” the Minister concluded.

After Melbourne, Petridis will attend the events that will take place in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney. He will depart from Australia on July 22.