Political parties mark Eoka uprising anniversary

Archbishop Georgios on Monday said Eoka Day marked on April 1 should be a wakeup call for imitation for Cyprus to “end its struggle for liberation”.

His brief statements to journalists were made outside the Apostolou Varnava church after a service attended by politicians.

Political parties underscored the importance of solving the Cyprus problem as they commemorated April 1. Also known as Eoka Day, it marks the start of the uprising in Cyprus against British colonialism.

Disy described it as “one of the greatest reference points of our country’s history.” The struggle today is for freedom against Turkish occupation and Cyprus’ reunification, the party said.

Cyprus was leased to the British empire and was formally annexed by Britain at the end of the First World War.

On April 1, 1955, Eoka whose aim was unification with Greece (Enosis), started a guerilla war, targeting British military installations on the island.

The campaign against the British lasted for the next four years. On August 16, 1960, a cease-fire was reached and Cyprus attained independence after the Zurich and London Agreement between the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey.

Akel said the fact that Eoka failed in its mission for freedom should be something for Cyprus to learn from. Being united in principles and objectives along with having a proper strategy make a “valuable compass” leading the island to a solution and reunification.

Edek described the anniversary as a day of “honour, admiration and gratitude for those who undertook the anti-colonial, national liberation struggle of Eoka between 1955 to 1959”.

“For those who, with meagre means but with courage and faith, became the vanguard of the Cypriot people in the struggle for freedom from the anachronistic, brutal British colonialism.”

The true vindication of Eoka fighters will come when a solution to the Cyprus problem is achieved, Edek specified.