Katie Clerides campaigns for Averof Neophytou, calls for DISY unity

Messages in favor of unity in the ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) party on the occasion of a memorial service of its founder and former President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides and the visit of independent candidate Nikos Christodoulides to the occupied Maronite villages were the main developments in the election campaign during the weekend.

The need for unity in DISY was put forward by Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and daughter of Clerides, former MP, Katie Clerides in view of the February presidential elections, who called on party supporters to support the DISY candidate.

In his statements at DISY headquarters after the 9th Memorial Service of Clerides, President Anastasiades said that honor to the founder of the party, Glafkos Clerides, "will only be paid if we keep this party that he founded united, strong, serious, as he wanted it to be."

On her part, Katie Clerides said that the best memorial for her father would be for the Democratic Rally to remain united. "This is what I ask of all party supporters, to vote for the party's candidate. That's what my father would have wanted. That's what we owe to his memory," she concluded.

DISY President and candidate for the presidency of the Republic, Averof Neofytou, said that the unity of DISY "guarantees the stable and safe course of our country."

"Glafkos Clerides founded DISY in 1976 based on four principles and values. The struggle for the reunification of the country, the European and Western orientation of our country, a free and strong economy and dignified citizens," Neofytou said in his remarks, adding that "these are the principles and values we serve today."

"DISY will be against thoughts of partition or extension of the status quo, DISY will be against anti-European forces and will be against those who endanger the solid foundations of the economy," he said, and concluded by adding that "we are following the path of Glafcos Clerides, honoring his legacy."

Independent candidate for the presidency of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, visited, according to a statement, the occupied Maronite villages of Kormakitis and Karpasha on Sunday, while he toured the villages of Agia Marina and Asomatos and attended the holy service at the Cathedral of St George in Kormakitis, presided over by Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus Selim Sfeir.

After the service, Christodoulides was received by the acting council president of Kormakitis, Valentinos Koumettos, the Maronite community representative in the House of Representatives, Yiannakis Moussas, as well as enclaved and resettled people, with whom Christodoulides discussed issues of concern for the Maronite community at large, with a particular emphasis on the Turkish occupied villages.

Addressing the enclaved people, Christodoulides noted the need to reopen the primary school in Kormakitis, but also to enhance incentives that will facilitate the living conditions of the resettled and will help more young couples to return to their villages.