Cyprus House, 8 September 2026
It’s a great pleasure to welcome all of you to the celebration of the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Cyprus here at the High Commission in London.
The 8th of September is a particularly meaningful day for the Greek Orthodox community of the Republic of Cyprus. It is also the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, the mother of God. For many generations, Theotokos remains a symbol of faith, hope and protection. In the same way, in these demanding days, our Armed Forces have the important duty of protecting our country, our people, our sovereignty and our values.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The security environment, in which Cyprus operates, makes the role of our Armed Forces particularly important. More than five decades after the tragic events of the 1970s, which climaxed with the Turkish invasion in the summer of 1974, the Republic of Cyprus continues to endure the grim reality of foreign occupation.
A significant part of our territory –almost 37 %, remains under military control, with a substantial military presence and continuously developing military infrastructure. It remains an ongoing challenge to the sovereignty and security of the Republic of Cyprus and to fragile stability in our wider region.
For our political leadership, the ultimate objective remains the reunification of our country. We welcome the renewed efforts under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General to bring the two sides back to meaningful negotiations and to create the conditions for a comprehensive settlement.
There is a renewed sense of momentum in the efforts to restart the dialogue and my President as the chief negotiator on behalf of the Greek community of the Republic of Cyprus remains fully committed to the process. We believe that a solution based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, international legality and EU principles is the only way forward to achieve a lasting and sustainable peace.
My leadership approach these efforts with determination but also with realism. After so many years of division, progress will require political will, social maturity and a genuine commitment on all sides involved to finding common ground.
At the same time, Cyprus does not view its role in security solely through the prism of its own national challenges. As a member of the EU, Cyprus is an active contributor to collective security. We seek to be not merely a beneficiary of security, but a reliable partner, and a provider of stability.
Our geographical position gives us a unique role. Cyprus lies at the south-easternmost edge of the EU, at the crossroads of three continents. This position is not only geographical; it is geopolitical and strategic. It enables the island of Cyprus to serve as a bridge between European Union and our wider neighbourhood and to contribute to addressing common challenges.
Over the years, Cyprus has developed a broad network of strategic partnerships with countries in the wider region, including Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Lebanon, as well as with the western world namely Greece, France, the United States and, of course, the United Kingdom.
Through bilateral, trilateral and multilateral frameworks, we promote security, energy cooperation, resilience and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. These partnerships are inclusive and are not directed against any third country. They are based on international law and on the principle that cooperation is the most effective response to common challenges.
Cyprus also seeks to translate its geographical position into practical contributions. Our country has often served as a safe platform for civilian evacuations from areas affected by conflict and instability.
We have upgraded the Zenon Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, named after an ancient Cypriot Stoic philosopher of the third century BC Zeno of Citium, while the Cyprus Centre for Land, Open-Seas and Port Security, codenamed CYCLOPS, named after the mythological one-eyed creature from The Odyssey, has become an important regional training facility for export control, port security and maritime security.
A particularly important example of Cyprus’ role is Operation AMALTHEA, the maritime corridor established by the Republic of Cyprus for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Launched in 2024 under the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2720, the initiative demonstrates how the Republic of Cyprus can use its geographical position and capabilities to provide practical solutions in times of crisis. The successful development of the corridor was supported by international partners, particularly the United Kingdom.
Dear guests,
Allow me to say a few words about our relationship with the United Kingdom. This particular relationship between Cyprus and the United Kingdom is unique in its depth and breadth, taking in consideration the uneven sizes. However, historical links and their consequences, our strong people-to-people connections, the large and vibrant Cypriot community in Britain and our extensive political, economic and security ties, have provided a solid foundation for a strong and forward-looking partnership.
In the field of defence and security, the United Kingdom is a natural and important partner for Cyprus. We believe that we share a common interest in strengthening security in Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean and in responding collectively to an increasingly complex international security environment. Our cooperation encompasses military cooperation, training, humanitarian assistance and crisis response.
Our bilateral relationship is also supported by strong commercial and economic ties. The United Kingdom remains one of Cyprus’ most important trading partners, while our two countries maintain extensive links in services, education, tourism, finance and professional sectors. These longstanding connections provide an important foundation for further cooperation in defence, security and resilience.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we celebrate our Armed Forces Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Cyprus and our determination to work with our allies and partners, including the United Kingdom, to build a safer, more secure and more prosperous Eastern Mediterranean.
