The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos accompanied by the Chief of HNDGS Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, as representative of the government, attended the celebration for the 57th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus, held in Nicosia.

After the end of the military parade, the Minister of National Defence made the following statement:

“Today’s magnificent military parade, on the Independence Day of Cyprus, sends a strong message: the message of the creation of an axis of stability in the wider area of the Mediterranean Sea, to the north with Greece, the countries of Europe and the Balkans, to the south and east with Israel, Jordan and Egypt. Exploiting natural resources can lead to better times.

I would like to congratulate the political and military leaders of Cyprus, the officers, NCOs, privates and national guards for their literally magnificent parade and, in parallel, for the tremendous success of the reorganization of the National Guard.

An independent state has the capability to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

For Greece, Cyprus is never far away. We will continue together with the leadership of Cyprus in order to find a solution to the Cyprus issue, for the occupied territory to be liberated, for the occupation troops to withdraw and for the entire Cypriot people to live in prosperity.

I would like to thank the people of Cyprus, in particular, for their warm welcome of the forces of ELDYK and of the air assets, and to send a message of solidarity and unity for the better time which will come for Cyprus and for Greece.”