The effort to strengthen the deterrent power of the National Guard will continue, President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday, in press statements following the military parade, in Nicosia, for Cyprus’ Independence Day.
He also stressed that the struggle continues to achieve our highest goal, which is none other than the liberation of our homeland.
The President initially referred to today’s ritual because, he said, it is of particular importance for the new generations to know about it. He said that in the morning they visited the Imprisoned Graves to honor all those who fought and gave their lives for our country. EOKA anti-colonial liberation struggle heroes are buried there.
He also said that they laid a wreath at the statue of the first President of the Republic, Archbishop Makarios, at the Presidential Palace and at the Resistance Monument for those who fought against the Turkish rebellion in 1964 and in 1974 in order to defend the Republic of Cyprus. The President also said that the parade is taking place to honor those who today defend the Republic.
He went on to say that Cyprus today celebrates its 65th anniversary, adding that the country suffered as a young state, but managed thirty years later to become an EU member state, one that is constantly being upgraded.
President Christodoulides also noted that our duty today is to do everything possible to upgrade Cyprus Republic and to also achieve our highest goal which is none other than the liberation and reunification of our homeland.
He continued by saying that at the same time, while striving for the goal of liberation, we have an obligation to strengthen with deeds and not with words all the power factors in Cyprus namely maintain a strong economy, rule of law, addressing corruption and all other challenges before us and internationally to have an open-minded foreign policy that proves that the Republic of Cyprus is part of the solutions to regional and international challenges.
He said that in this way the status of the Republic of Cyprus is further upgraded and, at the same time, we are also strengthening our negotiating status in relation to achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem.
The President warmly congratulated those who participated in today’s parade, saying that we are truly proud of what we have today seen.
He noted that the strengthening of the deterrent power of the National Guard begins first and foremost with the officers and personnel of the National Guard upgrading.
He also said that today we saw some of Cyprus’ new armament programs, adding that the effort to acquire new military weapons will continue and will be strengthened even further, utilizing the means offered by the European Union and Cyprus’ collaborations with strategic partners such as the United States.
When asked about the messages sent by the presence of the Greek F-16 fighter jets, the President noted that the messages are clear about the common struggle of Cyprus and Greece, primarily for the liberation and reunification of our homeland. Secondly, he said, Cyprus and Greece, as EU member states and states of the region prove in practice that they are pillars of security and stability.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.