-
.
- Ελληνικά
It is with great pleasure that I am attending tonight's event. In fact, I delayed my flight to Brussels to be here tonight as a minimal token of appreciation and gratitude to the State over the years for the very important work, I would say a ministry, that you do.
Strengthening the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus is not an issue on which there is any disagreement between the Government and the parties, it is possibly the only issue on which there are common positions, common approaches. And this is the right approach, because we are talking about a state that has been under occupation for the last 50 years. A state that is located in a region of particular geostrategic importance, and we all see what is happening in our region. A state that is a member state of the European Union (EU) and seeks not by words but by deeds to be in the hard core of the EU, which goes through the strengthening of the EU's defence capabilities, something that the Republic of Cyprus strongly supports.
So, since we all agree on the need to strengthen the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus, this strengthening first and foremost goes through the officers of the Cypriot army. And that is why we are all here tonight - and I am sure I am speaking on behalf of Marinos [SIZOPOULOS, CHAIRMAN OF THE PARLIAMENTARY DEFENCE COMMITTEE] and the dear Members of Parliament, the representatives of the parties - because the level of the Cypriot army and especially of the Cypriot officers - you served in difficult years - has nothing to envy from the level of officers in other European Member States.
And I say this with more reference to my former capacity as Foreign Minister. How proud I felt when I visited in particular neighbouring states, such as Egypt, Jordan and Israel, of what they conveyed to me about the standard of the Cypriot army and our officers in particular.
At the same time, again invoking my previous capacity, I want to mention these personal experiences. You cannot have a strong, a credible foreign policy if it is not accompanied by a strong deterrent force.
And in today's changing environment, foreign policy is directly identified with defence policy, with the capabilities of the state in matters of defence and security.
And to all of you, the backbone of the National Guard, and to your families - because I know it is not an easy profession - I would like tonight, on behalf of the State, to thank you once again for all that you bring to this country.
And in response to your requests, all those that are included in my electoral programme, that we will implement, and that together with the Association we had a meeting and included in my electoral programme, I want you to have no doubt that we will implement them in the very near future, starting tonight with the easy request that you have made in relation to the building of the "Cyprus Officers' Association".
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the worst moment in our country, the Turkish invasion. At the same time, it is also 20 years since the greatest success of this country, our accession to the EU. What I can tell you from our side is that we will do everything possible to put an end to this illegal situation, to reunite our country and to enable us, as an EU Member State, to develop the full potential of our country.
(PM/EAth/MS/NG)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs to PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
