Ministry of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic

10/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/02/2024 00:59

Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis Attends Ceremonies for the 64th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus

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Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis Attends Ceremonies for the 64th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus

October 1, 2024

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On Tuesday 01 October 2024, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr.Giannis Kefalogiannisattended the ceremonies for the 64thAnniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Cyprus in Nicosia. The Ceremony was also attended by Her Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, Ms. Ekaterini Sakellaropoulouand His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulidis.

Mr. Kefalogiannis attended the wreath laying ceremonies at the Imprisoned Graves, the Monument dedicated to the Heroes of the Resistance, and at the Statue of Archbishop Makarios C' at the Presidential Residence. Following, he attended the Military Parade in Nicosia.

The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Vasilis Palmas, the Chief of Cypriot National Guard General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas, the Deputy Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Vice Admiral Christos Sasiakos HN, members of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, representatives of Embassies, as well as delegations of personnel of the Hellenic and Cypriot Armed Forces.

After the end of the ceremonies, the Deputy Minister of National Defence greeted members of the 1974 Handicapped, Prisoners, and Fighters Association,and made the following statement:

"It is with great emotion and pride that we honour, today, the 64thAnniversary of the Republic of Cyprus.

The sacrifice of those fallen for the freedom of the nation is an important legacy, which sets its own moral mark for the completion of the sacred Cypriot Struggle.

The retreat of the illegal Turkish occupational forces and the achievement of a fair and viable solution for the Cyprus Issue, constitute a great priority both for Greece and Cyprus. And that solution cannot be built on different foundations, other than those of a Bizonal Bicommunal Federation, with a unified national sovereignty, one nationality, and a single international representation, always in accordance with the decisions of the UN Security Council.

Greece and Cyprus share the same moral values. They constitute pillars of peace, security, and stability in the broader region of the Eastern Mediterranean, and will carry on with the same purpose.

I wish that very soon we will reach the resolution, which Greece and Cyprus seek.

I wish for a future filled with prosperity for Cypriot Hellenism. I would like to wish many happy returns, and thank my good colleague and Minister of Defence of Cyprus, Mr. Vasilis Palmas, for the excellent hospitality and cooperation, which we have had through time".