PanARMENIAN.Net
Monument to Armenian Genocide victims unveiled in Cyprus
29.05.2008 17:34 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On May 28, Cyprus President Demetris
Christofias unveiled a monument to the Armenian
Genocide victims, saying that he remains committed to
creating a better future for all Cypriots, in a
peaceful and reunited Cyprus.
The President referred to the integration of
Armenians, who fled Turkey and arrived on the island.
He praised their successful entrepreneurial spirit,
saying they have made the country proud.
"This site is very symbolic; this is where the first
Armenians, who fled for their lives in 1915, first
landed on the island,- he said, as he unveiled the
memorial in the southern coastal town of Larnaca.
"This memorial is an expression of appreciation shown
by the Cypriot people for the hospitality and support
to Armenians who have since made Cyprus their home."
Christofias reiterated his respect and solidarity as
well as deep feelings of love to the Armenian
community here, noting that Cyprus offered them a new
beginning and was a refuge at difficult times.
Referring to the political situation in Cyprus, he
said his government would not cease to work for a
united peaceful and prosperous country for all its
citizens, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians,
Latins and Maronites.
He noted that Cyprus has suffered from a military
coup, Turkey’s invasion and the continuing occupation
of its northern part. Thousands of people have been
displaced; many of them Armenians and people have been
separated.
"Our ultimate goal is to reunite our country and our
people in a bizonal bicommunal federation with one
sovereignty, one citizenship and one international
personality," he stressed.
He closed his remarks by assuring the Armenian
community that he will continue to strive for a better
future for the country and all its people.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Ambassador of
Armenia Vahram Kazhoyan said: "93 years ago Armenia
was in tragedy. Genocide had already started on the
territory of historic Armenia. 93 years ago we were
mourning and we still mourn the victims, the memory of
the victims of the genocide which started ion 24th
April 1915."
However, he said, "Armenia has survived and today is a
day of festivities for Armenia, it is a big holiday
for Armenia, today is the rebirth of our first
Republic back in 1918. In 1918 in May after victory in
three major battles against Ottoman Turkey Armenians
established their first Republic after 700 years of
non independence."
"After a lot of difficulties we have survived thanks
to the help of our friends, and amongst these friends
was Cyprus. One of those people was the Cypriot people
who helped Armenia since the first days of the
genocide and who was among the first countries who
recognized the genocide officially in 1982," he
pointed out.
Armenia and Cyprus since the independent of Armenia 70
years ago have been in the international arena, as
friends helping each other with a lot of understanding
between them, he noted.
-I am sure that the monument in the promenade of
Larnaca will become not only one of the major
monuments dedicated to the Armenian Genocide all over
the world, but I am confident that it will become one
of the beautiful landmarks of Larnaca,- he added, and
thanked the Municipality of Larnaca and the government
of Cyprus, The Famagusta Gazette reports