Your Excellency, Ambassador of the United States of America to Cyprus,
Dear Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Dear President of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Boards Authority,
Dear Harbor Master of Limassol and Pafos Ports,
Distinguished guests,
Dear Colleagues,
Good afternoon.
It is with great pleasure that I attend today’s official handover ceremony of the submarine camera, model video Pro 4, from the US Embassy to the Cyprus Police, specifically to the Port and Marine Unit, in the framework of the CYCLOPS project. A project, symbolic, I would say, in terms of the even closer ties that have been developed and the further strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the USA and the Republic of Cyprus, in matters of defense and security.
Allow me therefore, to begin with the expression of warmest gratitude to the Ambassador of the United States of America, Mrs Garber, and her associates in Nicosia and Washington, for the generous donation of this advanced technological achievement. This will surely upgrade the operational capabilities of the Port and Marine Unit and the Cyprus Police as a whole, especially in matters of safety at sea, at ports and the borders of Cyprus.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In recent years and to an even greater extent in the current days we are living, the Cyprus Police is called upon to manage the rapid changes and developments on a national and international level in the field of public order and security. These include increased and justified demands of citizens and tackling new forms of crime. Terrorism, international organized crime, cybercrime, illegal immigration, economic crime and trafficking in human beings are examples of the complexity of modern crime. We are fully aware of this great challenge. That is reason why we work methodically, upgrading our human resources, equipment and services, while strengthening our cooperation on an international and European level. In this context, we considered it absolutely necessary and proceeded to implement a strategic plan of changes and reforms aimed at modernizing and upgrading the structures, mechanisms and consequently the services we offer to society.
One of our highest priorities in this process is the introduction of new technologies and in general the utilization of technology and science, as important factors in the direction of an advanced and operationally efficient and upgraded policing. The videoray Pro 4 brand camera is expected, precisely, to improve the operational capabilities of the Port and Marine Unit, regarding the seabed searches. In particular, its contribution will be crucial for research conducted at sea, dams and lakes to locate objects and missing persons, but also at ports before the arrival of military ships, raising the issues of safety of the seas and ports of Cyprus at even higher levels.
It should be noted that this camera has search capabilities of a maximum depth of 300 meters, a claw for lifting objects, as well as front and rear cameras for recording data and taking photos. The camera is operated wirelessly from land, with two headlights for operation and use during the night.
The members of the Port and Marine Unit possess the necessary expertise to operate the specific camera, as we will see in the demonstration that will follow. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Acting Commander, Deputy Commanders and all the members of the Port and Marine Unit, for the work they perform. For 63 years, the Port and Marine Unit has remained a vigilant guard in the protection of the coastline, of our ports and territorial waters, performing remarkable work in matters of security, but also in matters of humanitarian nature, undertaking search and rescue missions of persons at risk at sea.
Apart from the need to integrate advanced technological equipment in the field of policing, the development of synergies on an international level is also considered very important. The United States of America are a valuable partner to the Republic of Cyprus and have demonstrated in practice their willingness to provide assistance on a wide range of issues, as evidenced by the current CYCLOPS program. Therefore, I would like to thank, once again, the US Government and the Embassy, in particular the Ambassador herself, for this donation and at the same time to assure that the Cyprus Police is open to further strengthening our cooperation, but also at your disposal for anything you may need, within the framework of our responsibilities.
Thank you.
Source: Cyprus News Agency