Cyprus commemorates missing persons during 41st annual charity marathon

On Tuesday, Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas attended a memorial service and prayer at the Makedonitissa Tomb as part of the 41st Charity Marathon for Missing Persons. Representing the President of the Republic, Palmas emphasized the state's obligation to prioritize research, exhumation, and identification processes for individuals missing since the 1960s intercommunal conflicts and the 1974 military events. The event was attended by representatives of organizations for relatives of missing persons from Cyprus and Greece, along with officials from the Archbishopric. Palmas noted that 52 years have passed since the 1974 conflict, which resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands and the loss of many lives. He reiterated that a significant portion of the country remains under Turkish occupation. The government maintains that supporting these efforts is a fundamental policy priority. The speeches highlighted the ongoing impact of these historical events on contemporary Cypriot society.