Cypriot Justice Minister addresses EOKA anniversary in Thessaloniki

On May 6, 2026, Cypriot Minister of Justice Costas Fytiris spoke at an event at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki commemorating the 71st anniversary of the EOKA struggle, which began on April 1, 1955. The minister emphasized that Greece and Cyprus must maintain close cooperation to address shared geopolitical challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean. He praised the coordination between Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in elevating the strategic role of both nations. Fytiris stated that achieving a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue remains a historical responsibility pursued through diplomacy and international law. He noted that despite 37% of Cypriot territory remaining under Turkish occupation since 1974, the Republic of Cyprus is a full member of the European Union. The minister argued that historical persistence and cultural values have preserved the identity of the Cypriot people over centuries of foreign rule. He concluded that the current national strategy relies on enhancing deterrence and strengthening diplomatic ties.