Cyprus is a democratic country, plays a leading role in the region and has a duty to provide assistance to countries if and when they need to evacuate their citizens from Lebanon, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas has said, denouncing criticism over the government’s actions.
Moreover he stressed that there should be no concern in the sense that Cyprus is part of the conflicts.
In statements on Sunday after a memorial service in Pachyammos village, located in the north-west Tillyria area, Palmas said that to a certain extent it is normal for citizens to be concerned about the developments in our region, stressing that Cyprus is a democratic country, a member state of the EU and plays a leading role due to its geopolitical and geographical position.
Palmas stressed that we have a duty and an obligation towards both the European Union and the foreign citizens who are in the region, to set up an organizational framework and mechanisms so when necessary we can provide assistance to these people to get back to the
ir homelands if there is any military operation in Lebanon.
He emphasized that Cyprus is trying, by peaceful and political means, to find solutions to these issues related to military operations.
He reiterated that the immediate release of the hostages and a ceasefire will be a first step to defuse this dangerous situation.
The Defence Minister also expressed his disapproval about some press reports and also some positions by political parties in Cyprus which criticize the government for the management of the situation.
Palmas went on to say that Cyprus, despite its small size, is a country that plays a leading role in the region, adding that “we must prove this role as well as our geostrategic and geopolitical location, in practice.”
He referred to a statement issued by the Defence Ministry emphasizing that the presence of foreign troops in the Republic of Cyprus, whether they are American, Canadian, German or French, has to do with the effort made by these countries , through Cyprus, which is a friendl
y country and an ally, to facilitate and assist their citizens in a new possible evacuation of Lebanon.
Therefore, he underlined, there is no issue of military operations in the sense that some refer to it.
Replying to a question about aircraft presence in Paphos Air Base during the last days, he said that Cyprus provides facilities to friendly countries. He also said that last week Cyprus and the US conducted an exercise with the participation of US aircraft.
Palmas said that there is not a possible wrongdoing and that Cyprus is a recognized, democratic, modern state of the international community and has every right to conduct exercises and be prepared and ready in case of an emergency or a peaceful operation.
Replying to another question he said that Cyprus is not an unguarded state and has the ability to protect itself. But he said that he would not comment any further as these issues are extremely sensitive.
Source : Cyprus News Agency