The portfolio of the Ministry of Defence was handed over today, 03 March 2023, from the outgoing Minister Mr.Charalambos Petridis, to the new Minister Mr.Michael Yiorgallas.
The handover ceremony took place in the presence of the Director General of the Ministry Mr.
Speaking during the ceremony, the new Minister of Defence Mr. Michael Yiorgallas said the following.
Our thoughts, wishes and prayers are with the families of the victims, the injured and those who are tragically lost or missing.
Cyprus, our government and the Ministry of Defence stand by our side to assist the work of the Greek authorities.
By order of the President of the Republic, the flags in all government buildings have been flying at half-mast since yesterday, as a sign of participation in the mourning of Greece.
May the Almighty God give strength and courage to the families of the tragic innocent victims and protect the health of those whose bodies and souls have been forever marked by this unspeakable tragedy.
In this sad atmosphere, I asked that the handover and acceptance ceremony of the Ministry be modest, simple and appropriate to the day. And I thank my colleagues for doing so.
It is with national pride and supreme honour that I take over the portfolio of the Ministry of Defence today.
A Ministry of exceptional importance for the Republic of Cyprus, as it has been ordered by the state to defend the national independence, territorial integrity and sovereign rights of our homeland.
It is a great honour for me to be chosen by the President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Christodoulides to entrust me with the duties of the political head of the Ministry of Defence.
I thank him and assure him that I will do my utmost to live up to his expectations and confidence.
From this position I would first like to salute the leadership, the officers, the contracted and conscripted soldiers of the National Guard, the reservists and national guardsmen, as well as the civilian staff of the Ministry.
I want to promise you that I will work hard and methodically to strengthen and raise the level of the National Guard even higher together, with new ideas, new practices, with realism and boldness.
I also want to address the families of our National Guardsmen and assure their parents that their children will be my children as well.
I am fully aware of the responsibility and the huge debt I am taking on.
I am determined to work tirelessly to raise the fighting spirit and morale of our people.
My goal is for our fellow citizens to feel completely safe and secure because our NF is reliable and strong against any foreign aggression.
I want them to never again feel that we are alone and defenseless in the middle of the Mediterranean, at the mercy of our unpredictable giant neighbour.
I will seek to create conditions of universal understanding, absolute unanimity and undisturbed national unity with all social and political forces in matters of the country's defence.
My goals are efficiency, flexibility, transparency, accountability, meritocracy, fairness and honest management.
Solving the chronic problems of defence and making the most of the challenges and opportunities before us.
Above all, however, is the need to augment and strengthen the National Guard's deterrent power, force effectiveness and readiness by procuring new modern weapons systems.
I will work with commitment to strengthen defense agreements and cooperation with third countries and, in addition, to respond effectively against asymmetric threats such as illegal migration flows, cyber warfare, climate change and terrorism.
I will work with commitment to strengthen defense agreements and cooperation with third countries and, in addition, to respond effectively against asymmetric threats such as illegal migration flows, cyber warfare, climate change and terrorism.
My aim will be to improve the procedures for controlling the purchase of armament systems so that the resources available to the state from the people's savings are used honestly and transparently to strengthen Cyprus' defence. To this end, I have already spoken with the Comptroller General of the Republic and we will meet as soon as possible.
In approaching these objectives, we are aware of the facts.
We know that we are a semi-protected European state next to the powerful and unpredictable Turkey. We know our weaknesses and our strengths.
But let everyone be well aware that we will fight vigorously to the bitter end for what is at stake and what belongs to us.
Let them know that we do not cede the sovereign rights of our country to anyone.
That above all for us is Cyprus.
And for its freedom, peace and security we will work hard.
For the achievement of this goal I want you with me, fellow fighters.
I declare my absolute, total respect and love for all of you.
In the effort to shield our homeland no one is left out. I look forward to the uninterrupted cooperation of all of you.
I invite you to work in a coordinated manner with dedication, responsibility and professionalism so that everyone knows that Cyprus is determined to acquire the strongest deterrent power which will be a tool in our struggle to shake off the occupation and will also be a fact that will discourage anyone who wants to put the Republic of Cyprus into destructive adventures.
I invite you to work in a coordinated manner with dedication, responsibility and professionalism so that everyone knows that Cyprus is determined to acquire the strongest deterrent power which will be a tool in our struggle to shake off the occupation and will also be a fact that will discourage anyone who wants to put the Republic of Cyprus into destructive adventures.
In our common effort to defend the freedom of our homeland, the most stable ally and supporter is undoubtedly Greece, with which we are bound by indissoluble ties over time.
Within the day I will contact my Greek counterpart Mr. Nikos Panagiotopoulos to get to know him, to exchange views on all issues and to convey to him my shock at the tragedy of Tempi.
It is a great honour for me to succeed as Minister of Defence a man whose legacy in the Ministry is very special.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have offered to the Republic of Cyprus.
You have set the bar very high and I hope to be worthy of your achievements.
International agreements, defence cooperation and joint training with the armies of advanced states are also your personal success and we must acknowledge this.
You have performed your duty to the full and should be proud of your work.
I wish you good health, personal and family happiness and every success in everything you do from now on.
From today, ladies and gentlemen, we begin. With full respect and full cooperation, we must work tirelessly together to build the strong defence that our Cyprus needs.
Because only in this way will we do justice to those who watered its soil with their blood.
Because only in this way can we reach freedom.
As long as we believe it."
The former Minister of Defence, Mr. Charalambos Petrides, for his part, said the following.
In assuming the duties of the Minister of Defence in June 2020, I was fully aware of the enormous responsibility towards my country and society.
Throughout my two and a half years in office, I remained true to what my conscience dictated.
With dedication, commitment, responsibility and full awareness of my duties, I worked for the implementation of Mr. Anastasiades' government programme, without a lot of words, with calmness, seriousness, and always in close cooperation with the leadership of the National Guard.
Together with my colleagues, we worked methodically and with determination, with the main objective of the smooth operation, modernization and upgrading of the National Guard's strength, always bearing in mind the supreme duty of safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.
First and foremost, I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the outgoing President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, for the trust he has placed in me and the great honour of entrusting me with the management of the portfolio of the Ministry of Defence, as well as for his decisive contribution to the great effort underway to strengthen our deterrent power and our defence diplomacy.
I also express my thanks to all my close colleagues, the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Demokritos Zervakis, the Director General of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Andreas Loukas, to the military and civilian staff of the Ministry of Defence, to my fellow Ministers, to my colleagues in Cyprus and abroad, to my counterparts, as well as to the Defence Committee and the parliamentary parties for the constructive and productive cooperation we have had throughout this period.
In the framework of our strategic policy we have achieved many important results.
We have strengthened the existing and established new ties in the field of defence cooperation of the Republic of Cyprus with other states, with the aim of creating conditions of security, peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
We focused on an outward-looking defence policy, developing bilateral, trilateral and multilateral defence and security cooperation with 16 regional, European and other powerful countries.
I consider it appropriate to mention the upgrading and deepening of the Republic of Cyprus' relations with the United States of America, culminating in Washington's decision to completely lift the embargo on the sale of American arms.
In the context of the upgraded relationship with the US, National Guard personnel are attending and training at US military institutions and academies, we conduct joint exercises and trainings on an annual basis, we concluded the Bilateral Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and paved the way for the National Guard to join the State Partnership Program (SPP).
A very important development is also the Quadrilateral Cooperation between Cyprus, Greece, Italy and France, which has directly and effectively contributed to the effort to achieve a naval presence in our region, with the ultimate goal of defining the Eastern Mediterranean as an area of interest for the EU.
It goes without saying that our cooperation with Greece throughout this period has been at an excellent level and has not been limited to our joint participation in multilateral schemes. Throughout the years, Greece has been the selfless, constant and unwavering supporter of the Republic of Cyprus at all times and in all circumstances.
At the level of strengthening the operational capacity of the National Guard, in cooperation with the General Staff, we upgraded and strengthened the National Guard, qualitatively and quantitatively by implementing the equipment plan.
We strengthened the Ministry's financial resources in many ways and implemented innovative and reforming actions.
In order to address long-standing issues related to the Legislative and Regulatory Framework governing the Army of the Republic of Cyprus and the National Guard and to fill identified gaps, we modernized the regulations, achieving, among other things, the institutionalization of staff working hours and the reduction of absenteeism.
Of course, an important aspect in every step of the implementation of our strategy was the evaluation, selection and implementation of policies and actions that respect and protect the environment, thus contributing to the transition towards green growth.
I feel deeply proud and grateful for the work done. The National Guard is evolving and modernizing to become an effective deterrent force and an important tool in the implementation of our country's foreign policy.
The work that has been accomplished is a collective success. It is due to the cooperation, unanimity and, above all, the hard work of all of you who envisioned, believed, deposited your knowledge, and worked hard so that we could lead the National Guard and our country one step forward.
I wish each of you individually good health, personal and family happiness, and achievement of the goals we have set for the benefit of our country.
I wish each and every one of you good health, personal and family happiness, and achievement of the goals we have set for the benefit of our country.
It is therefore with great emotion that today I hand over the portfolio of the Ministry of Defence to Michalis Yiorgallas to a worthy successor, with scientific training, professional experience and a willingness to work hard and contribute to the country.
In handing over to you the duties of the Minister of Defence, I declare with absolute certainty that you will have the support, support and cooperation of each and every one of the military and civilian personnel of the Ministry of Defence.
I wish you strength and success in your new duties. Of course, on any occasion that I am called upon, I will be an advocate for the collective good and for the common national effort to be as beneficial as possible."
Speaking on behalf of the personnel of the Ministry, the Director General, Mr.
Speaking on behalf of the staff of the Ministry of Defence, Andreas Louca, in bidding farewell to the outgoing Minister and welcoming the new Minister, said the following.
It is my responsibility today to bid you farewell on behalf of the staff of the Ministry of Defence,
It is my responsibility today to bid you farewell on behalf of the staff of the Ministry of Defence.
You took over as Minister of Defence in July 2020, at a critical and challenging time.
With your dynamic personality and leadership skills, you blazed the trail and inspired the staff, reinforcing the already strong foundations laid by your predecessors.
You were opposed to any situation of stagnation and conservatism.
You had vision, set goals and worked with a high sense of responsibility, courage and dedication.
We never heard big words from you, but we saw action.
With rationality and good sense you fought for reforms.
You contributed to the progress and development of the Ministry of Defence by significantly enhancing its international outreach.
You can be proud that under your ministry the European and international footprint of the Ministry has become much stronger.
During your time, the historic decision was taken, for the Republic of Cyprus, to completely lift the US arms embargo on arms sales.
You worked with the same dedication and determination to resolve issues concerning the internal functioning of the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard. Among others, the issues of desertion, the amendment of the legislative and regulatory framework governing the National Guard, issues related to personnel, the attraction of European funds and the green transition.
The staff of the Ministry of Defence will remember you with the most positive memories.
You will be remembered for your consistency and methodicalness.
You will be remembered for your consistency and methodicalness.
For your benevolent character, your people-oriented administration, the sensitivity with which you treated your suffering fellow man and your smile.
We bid you farewell with great respect and with our sincere wishes for health, personal and family happiness and for a new creative path in your life.
Mr. Minister of Defence,
Welcome.
You take the helm of the Ministry of Defence today at a challenging time.
On the one hand, Turkish revisionism and on the other hand, the fluid and rapidly reshaping, complex and alarmingly conflicting European and international political landscape, combined with growing asymmetric threats such as terrorism and illegal migration.
We are called upon to implement the governance programme of the President of the Republic, Mr.
The following strategic objectives are summarized.
- Strengthen the implementation of the National Guard's armament program and proceed with the creation of the necessary infrastructure, aiming at an institutionalized fixed expenditure of at least 2% of GDP.
- Strengthen the implementation of the National Guard's armament program and proceed with the creation of the necessary infrastructure, aiming at an institutionalized fixed expenditure of at least 2% of GDP.
- We strengthen the close cooperation between Cyprus and Greece in the defence sector, in the context of the new geopolitical developments in the wider region and the participation of both countries in the Common Defence and Security Policy (CSDP) pillar of the European Union, as well as trilateral and multilateral cooperation with neighbouring countries, generally improving the defence capabilities of our country.
- We support the participation of the local ecosystem in research and innovation for new defence technology in the framework of respective European high-tech programmes, absorbing European funds and exploiting the human potential of our country, thus opening a window of opportunity for the creation of a defence industry.
- Gradual transformation of the National Guard into a modern semi-professional army by investing in the further upgrading and training of its staff and reorganizing the logistics system, with the aim of saving resources for their rational utilization.
In this effort, I assure you that the staff of the Ministry of Defence will support you with vigour, professionalism and consistency.
I welcome you again and wish you health and every success in your work."
(MX/SX)
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