The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos following a unanimous decision of the Joint Chiefs of General Staffs Council, after his proposal, awarded the Honourary Leader of the Movement for Social Democracy Vasos Lyssaridis the Commendation Medal of Merit and Honour for having outstanding services offered to the nation and the people of Cyprus during the national liberation struggle of Cyprus and in his life as civilian.

The Minister of National Defence during the award ceremony of the Commendation which was held at the Embassy of Greece in Nicosia, addressed to Vasos Lyssaridis stating the following:

“Mr. President I would like to thank you for honouring us with your presence in Greece’s Embassy. We are here with the Secretary General of International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Giorgos Tsipras, the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, in the presence of Cyprus’ Minister of Defence Mr. Christoforos Phokaidis, to announce you that following a proposal to the Joint Chiefs of General Staffs Council of the Ministry of National Defence we decided to do the least we had to in respect to what you did for homeland and for the Hellenic Armed Forces.

There are many things Greek people are well aware of, yet there are even more the things which you offered for the country, for the nation and the Armed Forces, and none will ever hear of.

So, for all these things, for what we know and what we do not know, allow us to award you the Commendation of Merit and Honour”.

The Honourary Leader of the Movement for Social Democracy Vasos Lyssaridis addressing the Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos, stated the following:

“I have to say that I feel deeply touched and anxious in order to respond adequately to the honourable distinction which your magnanimity awards me.

Solidarity among the entire Greek people is necessary for us to deal with the aggressiveness of Turkish expansionism.

Regarding Cyprus, an issue of invasion, possession, impingement of independence and territorial integrity of a UN and EU member-state is presented as an alleged intercommunal conflict.

A new nationwide strategy is required for dealing with visible risks. This requires a clear analysis of Turkey’s objectives.

Turkey’s mediate objective is the recognition of a separate Turkish-Cypriot state. Final objective of Turkish policy is to partition and establish common sovereignty over the Aegean Sea, to create a Cyprus-like condition in Thrace and to establish an Iskenderun-like status quo in Cyprus through a settlement policy that is a crime against humanity.

Greek Cypriots definitely wish a solution to be found. Yet not any solution; not a solution that corresponds to a dissolution of Cyprus’ Republic and a consequent Turkisation.

Yes. All risks are visible, yet we will not suicide in order to avoid being murdered.

Convey to mainland Greek people that we are here obedient to their commands and to struggle without taking into account any sacrifice for liberation.

Living without freedom and dignity is pointless.

Our belief is that when one dies for freedom, he deserves living one thousand lives.
We do not covet anybody’s rights, but we do not cede our rights to anyone as well.

The basis for a solution was established by decision of the National Council in September 2009 that we will struggle for a solution that ensures the unity of space, state, people, economy, institutions and all human rights will be established, all the refugees will return to their homes; a solution compatible with international law and European acquis.

They stand flourishing the balance of forces. We do not overlook that. We will simply struggle with faith and determination utilizing circumstances and involved interests, with militancy, to find a fair solution for every legal resident of Cyprus. We will not tolerate being the last generation of Greek-Cypriots on the land of Zeno, Cimon, Res, Auxentiou and Matsis.

Let us remember Kazantzakis and miracles, as well as Thucydides with the utilization of the involved interests. In a struggle for liberation everyone must be present. Even death cannot be an excuse for absence”.