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- Ελληνικά
Friday, 8 September 2023 - Camp of Lieutenant General Stylianos Kalbourtzis, Delikipos
I confess that at this moment I am under emotional stress with the dominant feeling being intense emotion.
On the day of the celebrations of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Day of our Armed Forces, we all participate and witness a special moment for the National Guard.
A moment full of symbolism and messages.
The moment of handing over and receiving the Head of the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus.
With today's simple but symbolic ceremony, with gratitude and respect we release and bid farewell to the former Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Demokritos Zervakis.
With the same respect and with high expectations we welcome the new Chief Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas.
Feeling the sacred duty towards our semi-protected homeland and our history, we bid farewell to the former Chief and warmly welcome the new one to the ranks of the National Guard.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
General Democritus Zervakis served as Chief during a difficult and peculiar period, which was characterized by the emergence of multiple, multidimensional and unprecedented challenges.
On the one hand, Turkish revisionism and Turkey's adherence to anachronistic, expansionist notions, maximalist demands and a constant effort to overturn the existing status quo and create new fait accompli on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
On the other hand, the global coronavirus pandemic, which required an immediate and drastic response and the adaptation of all of us to an unprecedented environment of self-protection and isolation.
And recently, the alarmingly uncertain, unstable and conflictual European and international political situation, culminating in the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the military operations, which are still ongoing.
Recognizing the vital need for reliable and strong armed forces in Cyprus and feeling the weight of the duty he was about to shoulder, General Demokritos Zervakis assumed the responsibility of Head of the National Guard, a mission he carried out successfully, demonstrating throughout his service a high level of professionalism and leadership.
Demokritos Zervakis admittedly completed a fruitful 5.5 years of service in Cyprus.
3.5 years as Chief and 2 years as Chief of Staff of the National Guard.
He contributed decisively and successfully to the reorganization and upgrading of the operational capabilities, the improvement of the deterrent capacity and the extroversion of the National Guard.
He was a Leader who possessed valuable operational knowledge and leadership skills, demonstrated a people-oriented approach to command and managed every issue with remarkable focus, perseverance and patience until the very last moment of his presence in the leadership of the National Guard.
He fought passionately for the gradual transformation of the National Guard into a modern semi-professional army, raising its level of training and operational readiness.
He emphasized the crucial importance for the Republic of Cyprus of establishing new and further upgrading of existing military partnerships with friendly countries and offered his best efforts to the policy of extroversion of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Cyprus.
Thanks to his valuable contribution, the National Guard now deservedly participates as an equal, useful and reliable partner in military partnerships with countries such as the USA, Israel, Greece, Egypt, Egypt, France, Italy, Jordan and others.
Dear General Demokritos Zervakis,
On behalf of the State, the staff of the Ministry of Defense and the National Guard, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the uninterrupted service you provided to our country during your tenure.
As you step down from the Force Headquarters, rest assured that the National Guard will continue to be here, strong and reliable. As you envisioned it.
Ready to fulfil its mission to the fullest, defending the freedom, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.
Keep deep in your soul the indomitable efforts that we as Cypriot people are making for survival in the land of our ancestors, here in the heartland of Hellenism, our beloved homeland Cyprus.
We bid you farewell with great respect and gratitude, and with our sincere wishes for health, personal and family happiness and a new, productive course in your life.
We bid you farewell with great respect and gratitude, and with our sincere wishes for health, personal and family happiness and a new, productive course in your life.
Mr. Chief, Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikosta,
We welcome you and welcome you to Cyprus.
As of today you take the helm of the National Guard.
You are undertaking an honorable yet demanding mission.
You are called upon as Chief to work tirelessly and contribute further to enhancing the operational readiness and increasing the deterrent capability of the National Guard.
I am confident that with dedication, consistency, focus and methodicalness, you will continue and strengthen the work of your predecessor, fulfilling the expectations of the State and the Cypriot people.
The goal we have set, as a Government, for the modernization of the National Guard and for the increase and strengthening of its deterrent power, its strength and readiness through the procurement of new modern weapon systems is constant and demanding.
This objective is becoming increasingly urgent as long as our country is under occupation and under the constant threat of new facts on its territory.
Mr. Chief.
The defence and security challenges we will have to face are complex and multiple.
The National Guard is on a path of strengthening, upgrading and modernisation and is evolving into a modern, flexible and capable army, capable of continuing to ensure the defence, security and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.
In this effort, your contribution as Chief is considered decisive.
With collective effort, the National Guard can respond to the modern needs and challenges of our time, providing the Republic with operational capability adapted to the demands of the times.
I am confident that, with your professionalism, knowledge and experience, you will fully meet the high expectations arising from your election to the leadership of the National Guard.
I am confident that, with your professionalism, knowledge and experience, you will fully meet the high expectations arising from your election to the leadership of the National Guard.
I am also confident of our harmonious cooperation for the implementation of President Christodoulides' government programme on defence and security issues.
I assure you that in this process you will find me as your companion and supporter.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Before I close, allow me to say a few words in English to the Ambassadors and military attachés who have done us the honour of being here with us today.
Dear Ambassadors and defence attaches,
Thank you for being here with us today.
This afternoon we bid farewell to Lt. General Zervakis.
An exemplary military leader who has served as Chief of Defence with profound professionalism and dedication to his mission.
One of his many legacies, will be his personal contribution to our extrovert defence policy.
During his time, new defence partnerships were established and existing ones were advanced further.
Many of you here today have worked very closely with him for promoting our numerous bilateral defence and military cooperations.
I am convinced that you will continue doing so with our new Chief of Defence, Lt. General Tsitsicostas.
General Tsitsicostas, brings with him an impressive wealth of knowledge and experiences from working in multinational environments and interacting with international organizations such as the EU and NATO and partner countries.
He will continue building on our policy of enhancing our defence partnerships and military cooperation for promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in our region.
I welcome all of you once again.
General Demokrites Zervakis.
We bid you farewell and thank you.
Chief Georgios Tsitsicostas.
We welcome you and wish you every success in your difficult and demanding work.
(ΜΒ)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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