On July 9 in Nicosia, DiEM25 in Cyprus co-organised an event with “NEDA” and “Path to Independence” (Bağımsızlık Yolu) on the Cyprus Problem, titled “1974: Voices of Resistance Against Fascism and Partition.”

The discussion featured activists from the anti-fascist movement and Turkish Cypriot comrades, who shared their experiences and perspectives.

The event began with keynote speeches by Andros Payiatsos, a member of “Xekinima” (“Startup”) (Greece) and Internationalist Standpoint, and Ali Şahin, a member of “Path to Independence” (“Bağımsızlık Yolu”). Valentinos Kontoyiannis (DiEM25 in Cyprus) also provided a historical political retrospective, mentioning, among other things:

“…Western imperialism; the interests of the Americans and the British; NATO and global geostrategic antagonisms combined with the nationalism of the motherlands determined the developments. However, nothing would have happened if the leadership of the Greek Cypriot community that ruled this country had taken a fair and harmonious stand in the face of political events, above ethnic differences…”

The event was attended by unaffiliated progressive citizens as well as members of other political organisations, such as “Hἁde,” “Anatropi (Subversion),” “AFOA,” and “Utopia.” A convergence in analysis and a common approach among all those present was observed.

On behalf of DiEM25 in Cyprus, Demos Ioakeim addressed the audience on the present and future, noting:

“The culture of peace and the historic common struggles for working-class rights, which were fought many decades ago, together, were highlighted…The solution requires coexistence and cooperation, and these will not be cultivated from the top down but from the bottom up. Common struggles, common campaigns, common political actions, and events… Our vision is a Cyprus with democratic rights for all citizens. The federal solution to the Cyprus problem, with political equality, must be based on the complete demilitarisation of the island, with the withdrawal of the British bases, without guarantors, and with hydrocarbons remaining forever in the depths of the earth.”

In closing, we expressed our common desire for further events and actions to strengthen bicommunality, enhance the synergy of the forces within this environment, and create an alliance of the anti-capitalist left throughout the island. This alliance stands against the darkness of division, the far-right, the delusional visions of liberal “progressives,” and the impoverishing policies of the extreme center.

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