The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos, accompanied by the Chief of HNDGS Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, attended the celebration for the 55th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus in Nicosia, representing the Greek government.
 
After the end of the military parade, the Minister of National Defence stated the following:

“Congratulations on the 55th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus on behalf of the Hellenic Republic. Today, Greeks of Cyprus, its people, its Armed Forces, its political leadership celebrated one more anniversary with the Church’s blessings.

The Armed Forces, with this magnificent parade, proved their readiness and high morale, their professionalism, as well as their determination to defend the territorial integrity and the national sovereignty.

It is a special honour that heroes of 1974, who have not been recognised even by Greece until now, participated in the parade for the first time. This remains our duty and we will do it together with the Defence Minister of Cyprus and the Chiefs of the General Staffs.

I want to say that the message of the President of Cyprus’ Republic was important. What we are all required to do is to ensure the unity of the Greek people – of Greece and of Cyprus – to demand two fair requests: The first one is the immediate withdrawal of the occupation forces and the second one is for this deception of guarantees to stop. Democracy needs neither guarantees, nor guaranteeing powers. The guaranteeing power in a democracy is its citizens and Cyprus has proved that it can be on its own.

The international community ought to work for a fair solution which will unite the island and will allow for a future parade to be held in Rizokarpaso, in Famagusta, in Kyrenia, in the occupated territory; for the Panegyric Vespers to be sung in the Church of St. Andrew the Apostle. Only then, Cyprus’ issue will have been solved.

Thank you very much for your hospitality.”

The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos had a private meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis, the Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus and he also visited the site where excavations take place for the Nord Noratlas aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force.