The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos held meetings today, during the second day of his official visit to Cyprus, with the General Secretary of the C.C. of the Progressive Party of the Working People of Cyprus (AKEL) Mr. Andros Kyprianou, the President of the Democratic Party (DHKO) Mr. Marios Garoyan, the President of the European Party (EUROKO) Mr. Dimitrios Sillouris, the General Secretary of the Movement of the Ecologists Ms. Ioanna Panaghiotou and finally with the President of the Democratic Rally (DHSY) Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis.
After their meeting, Mr. Anastasiadis and Mr. Panagiotopoulos made the following statements:
N. ANASTASIADIS: It is a special joy for me to hold this meeting with a friend, but also an acknowledged defender of Cypriot Hellenism’s interests, my friend, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos.
We have discussed issues relating to broader national interests. We expounded our defence capabilities, particularly the prolongation of our cooperation. I am glad to say that I feel very safe since the Minister does not limit himself to verbal support but, with specific measures, he pursues ensuring the feeling of security which is probably missing by Cypriot Hellenism.
Notwithstanding the problems Greece is facing, the message is one, that it remains by our side, and this is of primary importance, as he appropriately remarked.
The Ministry of National Defence is a Ministry of Peace and this is how we want to see it, since the deterrent power – when it exists – is the one ensuring peace.
On behalf of our political party, but also on behalf of Cypriot Hellenism, I would like to publicly express our warmest thanks, as well as our gratitude to the Hellenic State for the historical support and protection of the interests of the Republic of Cyprus but also the Cypriot Hellenism. Once more, I welcome you and wish you all the best.
P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: I would like to thank the President of the Democratic Rally (DHSY), my good friend Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis, for the attentive welcome and the warm feelings of friendship I came across here, at the offices of DHSY.
With this meeting and the discussions I held with him and other members of the Democratic Rally, I concluded a short yet compact with meetings and discussions visit at Cyprus where, as I already said, I chose to make my first visit abroad as new Minister of National Defence of Greece.
In my discussions with the President of the Democratic Rally Mr. Anastasiadis, I had the chance to examine many issues. First of all, matters of my pertinence. I cleared up and repeated once more that under any circumstances, even under the storm Greece is currently experiencing, the Hellenic Republic shall continue being here, by the side of Cypriot Hellenism, since the Cypriot Hellenism is a fine and tried part of Hellenism. Our fortunes are interdependent and, as far as matters of defence are concerned, I have said it in the past and I repeat it, you should consider that the Ministry I am head of is the extension of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus. We are collaborating and we will continue to collaborate as close as necessary.
In my discussions with the President of the Democratic Rally, I had the chance to discuss more issues relating to the big strategic choices made by the Republic of Cyprus to matters of hydrocarbons exploitation, matters relating to the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone. We consider that Cyprus has made important strategic choices with which it has opened paths. We closely observe the particular choices made by Cyprus.
I would like to thank Mr. Anastasiadis, and wish strength to him and to the entire Cypriot Hellenism. Besides, on September 26 I will come again for the informal meeting, in the frame of the Cypriot Presidency, of the Ministers of Defence, and I will probably also be here on October 1st for the celebration of Cyprus’ Independence Day.
Thank you very much Mr. President, I wish you all the best.
