Greek defence chief’s pledge to Cyprus

THE active participation of Greece in Cyprus’ security is a goal of Greek national defence policy and part of Greece’s strategic dogma, the Chief of the Greek National Defence General Staff, Admiral Panayiotis Hinofotis, said yesterday while on an official visit to Cyprus.

Hinofotis was briefed on the state of the National Guard and met separately with Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Constantinos Bisbikas and Defence Minister Kyriacos Mavronicolas, as well as with House Speaker Demetris Christofias.

Hinofotis told National Guard officials that his visit to Cyprus demonstrates the unreserved interest of Greece in the security of Cyprus Hellenism and of the Cyprus Republic in general, as well as demonstrating the ongoing co-operation, co-ordination and close relations between the heads of the Greek and Cypriot armed forces.

“Greece’s active contribution to Cyprus` security is a goal of the national defence policy, a component of the country’s strategic dogma and is included in the guidelines of the armed forces defence planning, in the framework of the more effective implementation of the Joint Defence Pact,” Hinofotis said.

The extent of the ‘Joint Defence Pact’ was thrown into question last October when Greece opted against participating in the Nikiforos military exercises, which Greece had always taken part in alongside Cyprus.

The Greek contingent in Cyprus ELDYK did not participate in the exercises, nor did any high-ranking official from the Greek Defence Ministry attend.

The annual Nikiforos exercises – the largest that the National Guard conducts – are designed to test the capacities of the military to ward off a foreign invasion.
Nikiforos was cancelled for four successive years prior to last year’s solo Cypriot staging of the exercises due to pressure coming from Greece and others to reduce tension between Cyprus and Turkey.