The Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, attended today, Thursday, October 1, 2026, the events for the 66th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Cyprus, in the presence of H.E. the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Chistodoulidis, in Nicosia.
In the morning, Mr Dendias, accompanied by the Chief of HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, attended the memorial service held at the Imprisoned Graves and laid a wreath, along with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, in the presence of the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus Annita Dimitriou, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus Vasilis Palmas and the Chief of the National Guard Lieutenant General Emmanouil Theodorou.
Subsequently, the Minister of National Defence went to the Presidential Palace, where he was received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulidis.
Mr Dendias, during the commencement of the meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, stated the following:
“Mr President, I warmly thank you for your consistently courteous reception, you and my colleague, Vasilis (Palmas).
I believe that your love is apparent and both the Chief of HNDGS and I sense it, and I have to say that the same stands for the Hellenic Armed Forces.
First of all, I wish to convey the congratulations and the warmest regards of the Hellenic Government, the Greek Prime Minister, and of all the Greek people, who always, consistently, stand by the side of the Cypriot Hellenism and today, on the day of Cypriot Independence, rejoice with you.
I would like to assure you that we also, with the new capabilities we establish within the Hellenic Armed Forces, will always stand by your side as brothers, but also in the framework of our common European family.
Once again, I would like to thank you for the courteous and loving reception – not just for the well-known Cypriot hospitality – and convey to all the Cypriots my wishes for health and longevity of the Republic of Cyprus under your Presidency, and furthermore for the enduring perception of Hellenism that we ought to support the Cypriot state”.
Immediately afterwards, Mr Dendias laid a wreath, along with Mr Christodoulidis, at the statue of Archbishop Makarios III, at the Presidential Palace.
Following that, Mr Dendias attended the traditional parade for the 66th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Cyprus, after the end of which, he stated:
“I am very happy and honoured to be here today, along with the Chief of the Hellenic Armed Forces, General Choupis, in Nicosia, attending the parade with which we honour the Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Cyprus.
Today’s parade projects an important historic reality, a historic conquest of Hellenism: the Republic of Cyprus, an independent, democratic, sovereign European state that today marks 66 years of existence.
An example of success, an example of prosperity.
However, we cannot forget that it is a state which, for over half a century, suffers the consequences of invasion and occupation. Nobody has the right to forget that.
There is a lesson in this, that freedom, sovereignty, security, Democracy require defensive force. Require the capability of deterrence.
And exactly that capability of deterrence is established in the Hellenic Republic with “Agenda 2030”. With absolute devotion in International Law, with absolute devotion in the International Law of the Sea.
I would like to say here, from Nicosia, that Greece, the Hellenic Republic will always stand by the side of the Republic of Cyprus.
Besides, you saw the Greek “wings” today, over the parade, you saw the parade of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus.
Greece is and will remain present. Greece is and will remain close by.
I would also like to make one final personal remark. I will never forget my intense emotions about the way I was received by the Cypriot Hellenism, when I arrived to the parade.
I will carry with me this feeling of solidarity, love and support to Athens.
Many happy returns, from the bottom of my heart, to the Republic of Cyprus”.
The parade was also attended by the Chief of the UK Armed Forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, representatives of the Armed Forces from Egypt, France and the United States of America, Ambassadors, Defence Attachés of foreign countries and other officials.
On behalf of the Hellenic Armed Forces, the parade was attended by infantry units and Assets of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (Hummer, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) “LEONIDAS” and M106). Also participating were a group of Cypriot students of the Higher Military Educational Institutions (Hellenic Army Academy, Hellenic Navy Academy, Hellenic Air Force Academy), a group of Cypriot students of the Higher Military Academies for NCOs (Army NCO Academy, Navy NCO Academy, Air Force NCO Academy), while a pair of Greek F-16 fighter jets passed over the parade area.
As part of the celebration, the Frigate “Nikiforos Fokas” is docked at the port of Larnaca and is open to the public for visits.
Yesterday, Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Minister met in Nicosia with the President of the Famagusta Displaced Communities Association and Acting President of the Occupied Communities Committee Michalis Tziortas, the President of the Kerynia District Communities Association Andreas Athanasiou and the member of the Occupied Municipalities Committee Dimitris Chilimintris. Earlier, he had met with the Archbishop of Nova Justiniana and All Cyprus, Mr Georgios.
