The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Chardalias visited the HQ of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK), Malounta, on 15 November 2021, in the context of his visit to Cyprus.
During his visit, he was briefed by the Commander of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK) Colonel (Inf) Stylianos Tinanas about its organization, its mission, its current training and operational activities. In addition, he was given a tour in the Museum of the Hellenic Force and he paid tribute, by laying a wreath to the Monument of Fallen and Missing Greek Soldiers and Officers in Cyprus, after a memorial service was held. In his address to the personnel, the Deputy Minister states, among other things:
“..on the day of this dark anniversary of the pseudo-state and 38 years later, from this place, from the headquarters of ELDYK, I would like once more to make clear that Greece stands at the side of the Republic of Cyprus and will never accept the fait accompli of the Turkish invasion and occupation, and it will keep contributing constantly and responsibly to the restoration of the international legitimacy on Cyprus, which can only be achieved through the termination of this occupation, the abolishment of the anachronistic regime of guarantees and through the reunification of Cyprus, based on the decisions of the Security Council of the United Nations”.
Afterwards, he visited the Military Cemetary of Greeks and Greek Cypriots killed in action in the Turkish invasion of 1974, at the Tomb of Makedonitissa, where he laid a wreath.
The Deputy Minister of National Defence had a meeting with His Beatitude the Archbishop of Nova Justiniana and All Cyprus Chrysostomos II, in the Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus, Nicosia, where His Beatitude informed him about the social and charitable contribution of the Archbishopric, as well as about its activities.
He also had an informational meeting with the Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus Mr. Ioannis Papameletiou, at the Embassy in Nicosia.
In the end, the Deputy Minister of National Defence was given a tour at the Cease Fire Line (Green Line), Ledras Street, and attended a briefing at the Observation post Siakola and at the outpost of the 211th Infantry Battalion.
