Grief, anger and a call to urgently solve the Cyprus problem were the key themes from political parties on Saturday, who paid tribute to the 50-year anniversary since the Turkish invasion with no solution in sight.

As memorials were taking place for over 3,000 Greek Cypriots killed in 1974, Disy and Akel addressed their EU partners to heed the situation on the ground and help the member state reunify.

Disy leader Annita Demetriou wrote to the president of the European People’s Party, calling on the EU to “demonstrate the same resolve, as it rightly does toward Russia for Ukraine, also vis-à-vis Turkey in the case of Cyprus”.

This is paramount so that Turkey abandons its “unacceptable claim for a ‘two-state’ solution, abides by international law and reverses its illegal acts against the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and the fenced area of Famagusta”.

A statement by the party said this was an anniversary which finds the country grief-stricken as people still feel the wounds and scars of the invasion.

Disy stressed it remained dedicated to a bizonal, bicommunal federation as a mark of respect “to the heroic fighters who sacrificed themselves defending the country, for our missing and our refugees”.

Akel’s general secretary Stefanos Stefanou described it as a day of honour to the dead but also a day of rage, for those that paved the way for Turkey to invade Cyprus with the coup.

“They laid out the red carpet to Attila to invade after they ripped apart Cyprus’ defence.” As a result, Turkey reached Kyrenia’s shores without any resistance.

Stefanou described the current period a “difficult, critical and pessimistic”. For seven years there have been no negotiations and “we are at a standstill.”

The deadlock needs to finally breakdown and negotiations absolutely need to begin where they broke off, he stressed after he laid a wreath for the fallen at the Tomb of Makedonitissa.

“We must try and solve the Cyprus problem using every means possible, to end the Turkish occupation, reunify the country and its people. Together, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots should be free to determine our own fate. This is our commitment to our dead.”

The Left in the European Parliament issued a statement against “the twin crime against the Republic of Cyprus” referring to the Greek junta-sponsored coup and Turkey’s invasion.

It urged the EU to exert its influence and link a solution to the Cyprus problem as part of the discussions surrounding the upgrading of EU-Turkey relations in conjunction with Turkey’s fulfilment of commitments in the context of its Accession Negotiations Framework.

Diko said it would never forget the fallen, the injustice and the cause of the invasion, condemning Turkey’s “brazen provocation” with its celebrations in the north “on stolen land and bloodstained soil”.

Depa’s leader Marios Garoyian urged for talks to resume where they left off in Crans-Montana as a start. “”For 50 years, an international problem of invasion and occupation, an international crime, has remained unsolved and unpunished.”

Similarly, the Green party said although half a century may have passed, the memories could not be forgotten and it is the country’s duty to find a sustainable solution.

Far-right Elam sought to send a message that this day should be a reminder of Turkey’s real intentions, and Cyprus should not compromise with occupation.