We cannot have a strong and reliable foreign policy without a robust defence force, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday evening at an event organised by the Association of Cyprus Army Officers.
The President noted that in the current changing international environment, a country’s foreign policy is directly related to its defence policy and the state must maintain its capabilities in matters of defence and security.
He went on to say that when it comes to a strong defence force, no disagreement is recorded between the government and the political parties, pointing out that Cyprus is under occupation for the past 50 years.
President Christodoulides said that Cyprus, at the same time, is located in an area of particular geostrategic importance and is an EU member state.
He praised the work and the role of the Cyprus army officers adding that in his previous tenure as Foreign Minister he felt particular pride when officials from neighbouring states such as Egypt, Jordan, Israel, spoke very highl
y of the level of the Cyprus army.
The President said that this year marks the 50 years since the illegal Turkish invasion and 20 years since Cyprus joined the EU and pledged once again that he will do his utmost to end the division of our country.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency