Cyprus has a duty to participate in the international alliance against ISIL, says FM

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides pointed out on Wednesday that Cyprus has a duty to participate in the international alliance against ISIL, adding that cultural values and freedom are at stake.

He also said that Cyprus` contribution to this fight highlights the importance of the island`s geographical location, adding that besides the engagement of the British Bases in Cyprus, Nicosia will provide facilities at the “Andreas Papandreou” military base in Paphos for the French civil aviation.

Replying to questions after the military parade for Cyprus` independence day, Kasoulides said that Cyprus wishes to highlight the importance of its geostrategic position and participates to the struggle against ISIL, mainly through its geographical location.

“It is our duty to participate to this battle, as the rest of the international community does, because our civilization, our freedom are in danger as a result of this ‘sickening mentality’ of the Jihadists”, he added.

Kasoulides also denied claims that Cyprus is becoming a target because of its participation in the international fight, pointing out that “we are becoming a target anyway as Christians”.

He recalled the examples of the Christians in Mosul and other cities of Iraq, who were forced to convert to Islam or flee or were beheaded.

“We are all in the same battle”, he said.

CNA

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.