"Greece is and will always be here, standing by the Greek Cypriot community," said today Greece’s Minister of National Defense, Mr. Nikos Dendias, who represented the Greek government at the military parade held today, on the occasion of Cyprus’s Independence Day, while Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas, for his part, affirmed that the Republic of Cyprus will continue to strengthen its deterrence capabilities.
Speaking to reporters after the parade, Mr. Palmas said that “It is with great pride that we commemorate once again this year the anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Cyprus and its establishment as an independent and sovereign state.
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With respect and boundless gratitude, we acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices of all those who helped guide our country on its path to freedom and independence. We also honor all those who, throughout the 66-year history of the Republic of Cyprus, have served and continue to serve with dedication and a deep sense of responsibility for the defense and security of our homeland.
Today, in a complex and constantly changing geopolitical environment, safeguarding freedom, security, and peace requires constant vigilance, operational readiness, and the ability to respond effectively to the challenges and demands of our time. With this understanding and with the security of our country and our citizens as our steadfast and paramount goal, as the Ministry of Defense, we will continue with consistency and determination to strengthen and modernize our defense capabilities, upgrade our strategic partnerships, and further strengthen the role of the Republic of Cyprus as a reliable partner within the European Union and the broader region.
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I warmly congratulate the leadership and personnel of the National Guard and the Security Forces, as well as all those who contributed in any way to the organization and execution of today’s military parade.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Greece’s Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, for his highly honorable presence here, as well as for the participation of Greek fighter jets in the parade, which highlights the unbreakable bonds of respect and cooperation that unite Cyprus with Greece.
I would also like to thank the Ambassadors and Defense Attachés of friendly nations who honored us with their presence.
I would like to extend special thanks to Egypt, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, which have honored us with their participation in the parade, both with marching units and, in the case of Egypt and the United Kingdom, with aircraft.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all our fellow citizens who participated in the celebration of the 66th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Cyprus. Happy anniversary to the Republic of Cyprus. Happy anniversary to the Cypriot people.”
For his part, Mr. Dendias said, “It is a great pleasure and a great honor for me to be here today in Nicosia, together with the Chief of the Hellenic Armed Forces, General Dimitrios Houpis, to be here today in Nicosia at the parade honoring the anniversary of Cypriot Independence.
Today’s parade highlights an important historical reality: a historic achievement of Hellenism: the Republic of Cyprus, an independent, democratic, sovereign European state that today marks its 66th anniversary. An example of success, an example of prosperity.
But we cannot forget a state that, for more than half a century, has been suffering the consequences of invasion and occupation. No one has the right to forget this. There is a lesson to be learned: that freedom, sovereignty, security, and democracy require defensive strength. They require the ability to deter. And it is precisely this ability to deter that we are building in the Hellenic Republic through Agenda 2030. With absolute commitment to international law and with absolute commitment to the international Law of the Sea.
I would like to say here in Nicosia that Greece, the Hellenic Republic, will always stand by Cyprus; it will always stand by the Republic of Cyprus. After all, you saw the Greek “wings” today flying over the parade grounds. You saw the ELDYK parade. So Greece is here and will remain here. Greece is close by and will remain so.
I’d also like to make one final personal remark. I’ll never forget how moved I was by the way the Greek Cypriot community welcomed me upon my arrival at the parade. I will carry this feeling of solidarity, love, and support back to Athens. Happy birthday from the bottom of my heart to the Republic of Cyprus.”
