Govt spokesman calls for unity and vigilance at Eoka memorial

Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis on Sunday said that current circumstances leave no room for complacency or forgetfulness, urging unity and a clear national direction.

“The relentless gravity of the situation requires us to stand united, with seriousness, national awareness and clear orientation,” Letymbiotis said during a memorial speech.

He was speaking at a memorial service held at the Church of Saint George in Nicosia, honouring Eoka fighter Nitsa Hadjigeorgiou and members of the association.

Letymbiotis called for the country to make use of emerging opportunities while strengthening its defences against risks and challenges, reiterating that efforts must continue towards what he described as the ultimate national goal of liberation.

Referring to the ongoing division of the island, he added that 52 years after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, occupation persists. He said that there is a need for a solution that is “final, functional and viable”, based on United Nations resolutions, international law and the European acquis.

“The refugees continue to carry the burden of absence. The families of the missing still seek full justice,” he said, adding that the Cyprus issue remains “a living national wound”.

He also highlighted the importance of unity, warning that internal division has historically weakened Hellenism more than external threats. “We must set aside what divides us and focus on what we deserve collectively,” he said.

Referring to Hadjigeorgiou, Letymbiotis praised her courage and sacrifice during the Eoka struggle, noting that she endured torture without betraying others and later faced hardship and neglect.

He added that the memorial honoured not only six individuals but symbolised the broader sacrifices made throughout Cyprus’ history, including those executed during the anti-colonial struggle, victims of intercommunal violence in the 1960s, and those who fell during the events of 1974.

“The greatest honour to our heroes is not words, but ensuring we do not betray them again,” Letymbiotis said, concluding that the real question is whether society proves worthy of their sacrifice.