“Bombs” from the mayor of Morphou, Viktoros Hatziavraam, in “P”: The Greek Cypriot politician does not hide his fears that Cyprus may become a “sacrifice” in Greek-Turkish relations and that Greece may refrain from a possible new invasion by the Turks in Cyprus! While he does not hesitate to express his feeling, that Greece is distinguished by its tolerance towards Turkey!
In fact, in a related question of “P”, he does not rule out the possibility that the division of the Aegean and Cyprus has already been agreed behind closed doors! Adding, also, that the answers of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during the meeting they had, did not reassure him, nor did they convince him otherwise…
Mr. Hadjiavraam was in Patras for the ESIEPIN commemoration event, on the occasion of the completion of 50 years since the Turkish invasion and occupation of the mega island.
He spoke with wit and political realism to “P” about the difficult phase in which the Cyprus issue is, about his meetings with K. Mitsotakis and what was exchanged between them, but also about the possibility that the Cyprus issue will end definitively and irrevocably, if ” Famagusta falls too!
– Are you worried about the recent Greece-Turkey rapprochement?
I don’t know, these Greek-Turkish relations have influenced me. Even though the Prime Minister of Greece himself, in one of our meetings recently, told me that bad relations between Greece and Turkey will not bring good results to the Republic of Cyprus either. So, my point is that we need to set limits now. To advance Greek-Turkish relations, with one condition: To help Cyprus for its liberation, because 50 years on it is no longer understood to be called a “peaceful” attack by Turkey to occupy and bring legal order to Cyprus and keep our lands for half a century.
– Did you fear the worst from Erdogan for Famagusta?
Yes! What Erdoğan has said so far about Famagusta, he has done. I am afraid of the fact that the settlement of Famagusta will not begin. He opened some areas of the city for the sake of sensationalism, but I am very afraid that Famagusta will not be lost as well, a city that until now was uninhabited and considered a ghost town. I am afraid that if Famagusta “falls” as well, the Cyprus conflict will end definitively and irrevocably!.
– Do you have realistic hopes that justice and a fair resolution of the Cyprus issue will come?
Man dies with the hope that something better will happen in his life. Probably not possible, but hope dies last. Although the data is not so positive at the moment and I think things are difficult.
Still there is a faint hope in the back of the brain that something will happen! But when it will happen, I cannot know, unless we at least enter into a dialogue. And I say dialogue, because Cyprus cannot stand another war!
THERE IS ENDOTICITY IN GREECE
– Do you consider Erdogan capable of daring to occupy the whole of Cyprus?
He can even dare! But don’t forget that a political leader says what his subjects want to hear in order to stay in power. I’m not saying he can’t do it. He can do it very easily too! But we are in a period where both Greece and Cyprus have defensive armor…
-But is there a political will to use this defensive armor? Do you think that Greece is characterized by tolerance?
I tell you honestly, yes! I believe exactly what is said, that there is a tolerance here in Greece. I am very afraid of the possibility that Greece will stay away from a possible new Turkish invasion of Cyprus!
– So you were afraid of a repeat of ’74?
Let’s not say it like that, let’s leave this hanging… But I will tell you that I am personally troubled by the Greece-Turkey relationship and I am afraid that Cyprus will not be sold, for the sake of this Greek-Turkish friendship.
Mr. Mitsotakis did not persuade me
– Were you afraid that the division of the Aegean and Cyprus has already been agreed behind closed doors?
Yes, I’m afraid of it! I have told Mr. Mitsotakis himself!
– What did the Greek prime minister answer you?
He told me that this is not the case…
– Did Mr. Mitsotakis convince you?
I’m not easily convinced… Because I need arguments to convince…
– I understand that our prime minister did not reassure you with his assurances…
No, on the contrary, I remain in my positions. Because in order for someone to convince me, they will have to give me evidence. And I didn’t see evidence in front of me. Not even the prime minister has convinced me otherwise. I’m not saying he’ll do anything else. But at least it hasn’t convinced me.
– Do other people in Cyprus also feel the fear that you might be alone in a possible attack by the Turks?
I believe so! I haven’t discussed it strongly. However, I personally feel that way. In view of this relationship that is being created between Greece and Turkey… I am not saying that it should not be created, so as not to be misunderstood. I say to create a good relationship between Greece and Turkey, but with the right conditions…
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