The President of the Republic Mr.Nicos Anastasiades visited today the "Kostakis Pantelidis" camp on the occasion of the Christmas holidays, in the presence of the Minister of Defence Mr. Charalambos Petrides, the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Demokritos Zervakis, the Bishop of Pafos, Mr.
Welcoming President Anastasiades, the Minister of Defence said "we welcome you to our new privately owned Club."
Welcoming President Anastasiades, the Minister of Defence said "we welcome you to our new privately owned Club. We have laid the foundation for the modernization and upgrading of the National Guard. We are currently running more than 20 arms programmes and are at the highest level of budgets in the last 20 years.
In addition, in diplomacy we have concluded more than 15 bilateral, trilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements, always showing the way and acting as a pillar of stability for the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. Our staff works and trains every day and is able to carry out its mission with distinction."
Addressing the soldiers and officers, President Anastasiades said that "I feel great joy and emotion, given that this is the last time I have the opportunity in an official capacity to address a modern army, semi-professional but fully trained, trained and equipped in a way that constitutes the real deterrent force of the country. The times when 'Nikiforos' was the only worthwhile exercise of the National Guard have passed away irretrievably.
The involvement of the National Guard in exercises, not only with the states of the region, but also European states or even the American forces, has given the other dimension to the utilization of the potential in a way that is absolutely worthwhile. And this is also combined with the arms programmes, which are of a defensive and not of an offensive nature or prerequisites, because we are a peaceful people.
What we are trying to do is to defend the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, of course through diplomacy we are trying to find a peaceful solution, through dialogue, but also always relying on the resolutions of the United Nations, believing that at some point both Ankara and our Turkish Cypriot compatriots will realize that, as the Church says, the unjust are not blessed.
And beyond that, the solution of the Cyprus problem will give the other dimension not only to relations, but to progress, to the prospect for the future of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
What we are asking for is to finally end the occupation, to end anachronistic guarantees that do not exist except in subordinate states and to apply human rights for all Cypriots without exception, to apply the principles and values of the EU. We are a European country, our citizens are European citizens, they have the same rights as other European citizens. This is what we are demanding, this is what we have fought real battles for, and I have said it and I will repeat it. It is really a burden that I carry because despite all the efforts we have made, despite all the goodwill we have shown, there has been Ankara's insistence on revisionist policies, and Ankara's insistence on turning Cyprus - or the Republic of Cyprus or the Republic of Cyprus under development into a federal regime - into a protectorate controlled by itself.
Neither national dignity nor my own Greek and Cypriot origin would allow me to accept to sign or accept a solution in Crans Montana that would ensure Turkey's presence in Cyprus forever and put the survival of Cypriot Hellenism in doubt.
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, the birth of the God-Man is followed by the Resurrection in some time, this is what we are asking for our country."
Referring to the Officers' Club, he said that "what we were interested in was to have a place where officers have their own 'home', where through contacts, not only bonds but also reflections develop."
Referring to the Officers' Club, he said that "what we were interested in was to have a place where officers have their own 'home', where through contacts, not only bonds but also reflections develop.
For his part, the Chief of the National Guard said that "the National Guard personnel are aware of the responsibility they have both to their heroes and to Cypriot society. Our personnel are trained and equipped to become a reliable factor of the national power of the Republic of Cyprus Our personnel are proud of what they do and I as the Chief I want to assure you that I feel the same pride for the personnel that I command.
Rest assured that our personnel are currently on standby, on the front lines to provide security to the Cypriot society. Thank you for your presence here which highlights your personal interest and that of the state."
(PM/MG/IC)
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