Nicosia: The continuous upgrading of the National Guard and the strengthening of Cyprus’ deterrent power is a top priority for the government, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday. He was speaking during the swearing-in ceremony, at the Presidential Palace, of the new National Guard Chief, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Theodorou, who succeeds Georgios Tsitsikostas.
According to Cyprus News Agency, addressing the new Chief, President Christodoulides said that the state entrusts him with steering the National Guard, and expressed his certainty that he will be able to execute his high duties in a worthy manner.
Theodorou’s experience and service to date, as well as his distinctions provide evidence for his training and ability, he went on. ‘Due to the fact that you served again in Cyprus as Commander of the honored Hellenic Force in Cyprus, you are well aware of what you have before you and of the challenges you are called to manage,’ he added.
Addressing the outgoing Commander, Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas, President Christodoulides thanked him for the ‘impeccable and excellent cooperation’ they had, as well as for his professionalism amid efforts to upgrade the operational capability of the National Guard.
Welcoming the new head of the National Guard, President Christodoulides said that he is embarking on his very demanding tasks, which are inextricably linked to safeguarding security and to defending the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.
On his part, the new Chief of the National Guard assured the President of the Republic that he will make ‘every effort to further strengthen the operational capability of the National Guard.’
‘Having a human-centered administration as my guide, I will work tirelessly to meet the demands stemming from my duties,’ Theodorou added.
He said he knows that ‘in today’s turbulent geopolitical environment, no complacency is allowed, nor is there time any transitional period.’
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops 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.