Our goal is to safeguard the territorial integrity and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and to this end we are upgrading of the capabilities of the National Guard, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas has said.
He was addressing the 15 May graduation ceremony of the 86th Underwater Demolition Unit at 'Evangelos Florakis' Naval Base in Mari.
He referred to the EU SAFE Programme, noting that an amount of €1.18 billion will be used to meet the needs in Cyprus' defence sector over a five-year period.
Palmas noted that the so-called defence diplomacy is also an important sector and Cyprus seeks to upgrade its cooperation with European partners and friendly countries.
In his address, he said that Cyprus is a pillar of stability and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean and has obligations arising from its participation in European programs and humanitarian missions. Therefore, he said, the decision has been taken to upgrade the country's naval and air infrastructure.
The Minister noted that the National Guard is a fundamental pillar of Cyprus' defence and a decisive deterrent against any aggression.
He furthermore said that decisions were taken for the strengthening of the institutional framework governing the service of personnel in the National Guard, the upgrading of the reserve and on issues of environmental and energy policy, green development etc.
Addressing the graduates of the Unit, he said that they demonstrated high physical and mental endurance, discipline and dedication in particularly demanding conditions.
(Source: CNA)
