On Wednesday 01 October 2025, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis attended the festivities for the 65th Anniversary of Cyprus Independence, in the presence of H.E. the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Nikos Christodoulidis, in Nicosia.
Mr Davakis participated in the ceremonies of wreaths’ laying at the Imprisoned Graves, the Resistance Memorial and the Statue of Archbishop Makarios C at the Presidential Palace and after that he attended the Military Parade in Nicosia.
The ceremonies were attended by the Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios, the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, the President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus Annita Dimitriou, the Defence Minister of the Republic of Cyprus Vasilis Palmas, the Chief/National Guard General Staff Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas, members of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, representatives of Embassies and delegations of Greece and Cyprus Armed Forces members.
Upon conclusion of the festivities, the Deputy Minister of National Defence stated:
“I step, deeply moved, on the soil of Cyprus, as any Greek would do. Today, here, in Nicosia, representing the Hellenic Government, we honour with pride and heavy historical responsibility the 65th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus. The 1st October 1960 marked the hope of a population for freedom and independence. But, from then until now, a heavy burden of sacrifices and struggles weighs its history.
We remember those who fought for the freedom of the Nation. We remember the fallen. We remember that the Hellenism of Cyprus, in every difficulty, has risen to the occasion with self-denial, faith to the democratic values and international law.
Our bonds are historical, unbreakable and indestructible. This was proven a while ago by the F16 Viper aircraft which flew above us, pointing out, with emphasis, every line of the Uniform Defence Doctrine of Greece-Cyprus.
However, the request for a solution on the basis of the dual zone, bi-communal federation with political equality of Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots, as it is defined in the relative Resolutions of the United Nations, but with sovereignty, an international personality and a citizenship, is always timely.
Concluding, I would like to express the deep emotion I felt when I saw the “Imprisoned Graves” once more.
This is where the common destiny of Hellenism and its continuous struggle is transformed for the Freedom that will always “be borne from the bones, the sacred ones of the Hellenes”!
