The 64th National Convention of AHEPA Australia took place from the 8 – 14 November in Canberra. Many topics of high importance were discussed, including the FYROM name change and the Cypriot matter.
As the event came to an end, it was agreed that the AHEPA of Australia will maintain a certain stance regarding these important matters.
More specifically, in regards to the Cypriot issue, the convention decided among other things to reaffirm all its previous resolutions on the matter and declared the occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus by Turkey as “unacceptable”.
Also, the body will continue to offer its unlimited support towards Cyprus until the matter is resolved.
Regarding the Macedonian name change issue, the AHEPA Australia urged the Federal Government to condemn all territorial claims FYROM might have of Greece and to maintain a policy that recognises the rights of all Greek-Macedonians toward their heritage and culture, separate to those of Macedonians of Slavic origin.
Furthermore, the matter of the Christian Genocide of Anatolia was discussed, dubbing it a “crime against humanity” and adding that the common factor in these crimes is that the victims were all of Christian faith.
As a conclusion on this issue, AHEPA stated that the Parliament needs to officially recognise this crime, following in the steps of the local parliaments of New South Wales and South Australia, so that to ensure that this horrible instance will be remembered and never repeated again.