Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias marked the 52nd anniversary of the second phase of Turkey’s 1974 invasion of Cyprus on Friday, saying that the passage of time has not diminished the memory of those who lost their lives or remain missing.
In a post on X, Dendias recalled the events of August 14, 1974, when the second phase of the Turkish military operation began, and stressed that the Cyprus issue remains unresolved more than half a century later.
“Fifty-two years since the beginning of the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. No matter how many years pass, the memory remains,” the Greek defense minister said.
“The Cyprus Issue Remains One of Illegal Military Occupation”
Dendias described the continuing division of Cyprus in unequivocal terms, saying the issue remains one of the illegal military occupation of a significant part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
He also pointed to Cyprus’ status as a sovereign member state of the European Union, underlining the broader European dimension of the issue.
“The Cyprus issue remains one of the illegal military occupation of a significant part of the Republic of Cyprus, a sovereign member state of the European Union,” he said.
Tribute to Those Who Fell
The defense minister also paid tribute to the Greeks and Cypriots who died fighting during the events of 1974.
“We honor the memory of our fallen Greek and Cypriot brothers who fought for the freedom of Cyprus,” Dendias said.
His message concluded with a reference to one of the most painful unresolved chapters of the 1974 conflict: those who remain missing and the families who have spent decades waiting for answers.
“We do not forget the missing and their families,” he said.
The anniversary comes 52 years after the second phase of the Turkish invasion began on August 14, 1974, dramatically expanding the territory under Turkish military control and cementing the division of the island that continues to this day.