The Alternate Minister of National Defence Dimitris Vitsas in a statement on ERT Patra radio station on July 20, 2016, said the following about today’s anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus:
     
“Today is the day of the commemoration of a dark page, of a dark day for both Cyprus and Greece. It is the day of the big treason of Cyprus by the Greek military junta. It caused pain to the people of Cyprus as well as to many Greeks who defended Cyprus with courage and gave their lives.

The Ministry of National Defence honours this sacrifice and tries to solve the existent issues. Beyond that, at this time, we are concerned with the return of the remains of those heroes who gave their lives back then. We received remains of persons who fell in Cyprus and who could be identified. Their remains were returned to Greece to be paid the proper tribute by the Greek state and be delivered to their families.

The next step will be the return of the remains of those who participated in Noratlas mission. This procedure is underway. The bones have been identified and in cooperation with the government of Cyprus the return will be conducted with the proper homage in September.

We are also trying to achieve a substantial acknowledgement – the official acknowledgement has been achieved – in cooperation with the associations for missing and fallen in Cyprus. One of the main issues is for those who live in Greece today, those who survived to have the proper honour and moral rectification; yet, for our children too who have been lost in Cyprus to be identified. This issue must end for their families too.

In Cyprus, however, we are still looking for missing persons. Some steps have been taken, but the definite and big steps will be taken when Cyprus recovers its full independence as state.”