The Government of Cyprus is acting in a responsible and transparent manner for the security of the country and its citizens, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, has stressed noting that Cyprus does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation.
In a televised message to the people on the evening of Wednesday, 4 March, the President said that he is addressing the citizens once again due to the "unprecedented crisis that has erupted in our wider region, causing concern and uncertainty".
He stressed that the highest priority of the Government is the security of the country and its people.
"Our primary concern, our highest and non-negotiable priority, is the security of our country, and of all of you. To this end, the entire Government and all the competent services of the Republic have been on alert and in full operational readiness from the very beginning".
In these crucial moments, he pointed out, the Government is working in a responsible, transparent manner, with the sole goal to protect the country and its citizens.
Within this context, the President went on to say, the timely and reliable information of citizens is a prerequisite for the smooth management of the situation.
"For this reason, information is provided consistently and responsibly through the official communication channels of the Government, so that you all have correct and timely information, reliable information and of course clear instructions" he stressed.
Furthermore, he referred to an "additional mean of immediate information and guidance" which is the launching of an emergency paging system that is being activated beginning from today, on a trial basis, "so that if and when required, messages can be sent directly to the mobile phones by the Civil Defence".
President Christodoulides referred to the Cypriots who are abroad, noting that "we are working for the safe repatriation of all Cypriots stranded abroad" and said that the first repatriation flights have already arrived.
He stressed "in the most categorical way" that Cyprus "does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation".
"We remain committed to the humanitarian role that we have served all this time. Always, as part of the solution and never as part of the problem," he underlined.
We do what we must do in a responsible manner, he continued.
From the very beginning, the President pointed out, "we have been in constant contact with our partners in the European Union and third countries, to further strengthen our efforts".
In this context, he added, "we have secured the immediate and valuable assistance of Greece and France, while we are in advanced consultations with other countries, and further announcements will be made soon".
President Christodoulides expressed once more on behalf of the Cypriot people and the Cypriot government, his "warm thanks to them for their practical and substantive support".
Concluding, the President said that these are difficult times that require cooperation adding that the government will not cease to work having as its "the primary concern the security of our country and our people".
(Source: CNA)
