Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said the continuous upgrading of the National Guard and the strengthening of its deterrent capability is a ‘conscious choice’ of his Government, speaking on Sunday, in Nicosia, at the memorial service for the fallen and deceased members of the Cyprus Army and during the prayer for the recovery of Lieutenant General Tasos Markou who went missing in 1974.
‘As long as our homeland remains under Turkish occupation, we have a duty and an obligation to defend it and shield it against any threat,’ he stressed.
He noted that beyond its responsibility for monitoring the ceasefire line, the National Guard today is tasked with a multi-layered role, including support in guarding the maritime borders of the Republic of Cyprus and participation in search-and-rescue operations.
At the same time, he said, as the EU member state closest to a region plagued by crises and of high geostrategic importance, the Republic of Cyprus is called to respond to humanitarian and other missions that require readiness and sufficient capabilities. In this context, he added, the ongoing upgrading of the National Guard-both in terms of personnel and technology-forms a key pillar of the Government’s strategy, supported by concrete actions.
President Christodoulides noted the decision for full utilization of the EU’s pound 1.2 billion SAFE financial instrument to cover defence needs and strengthen security. He also pointed to the procurement of equipment from the United States through defence programmes in which Cyprus now participates.
The President underlined that Cyprus’ growing role in the region, and that of the National Guard itself, is reflected in heightened international interest in upgrading the ‘Andreas Papandreou’ Air Base in Paphos and the ‘Evangelos Florakis’ Naval Base in Mari, projects he described as top priorities for the Government.
‘And I want, on this occasion, to repeat that I am truly particularly proud of the National Guard. I am proud of the men and women of the National Guard, the officers, reservists, national guardsmen and our conscripts, for everything they have done over the years, above all for safeguarding the Republic of Cyprus,’ he said.
Fifty-one years after the invasion, he added, the memory of the fallen and the missing remains a compass of unity and resolve for the liberation and reunification of the country. Their sacrifice, he concluded, is a lasting reminder of the duty to defend Cyprus’ independence and territorial integrity.
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.