AKEL on the meeting of AKEL General Secretary with the Cyprus Army Officers Association
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 10th March 2021, Nicosia
Yesterday, the General Secretary of AKEL, heading an AKEL delegation, had a particularly useful and very productive meeting with the Cyprus Army Officers Association on our country’s defense issues.
The General Secretary of AKEL referred to the importance and role of the National Guard in the current conditions and stressed that so long as the occupation continues, the National Guard must remain a credible force to prevent any foreign intrusions. He underlined that this must be done in a methodical way within the context of the Defence Strategy approved in 2013 which should be pursued with consistency regardless of who is in government.
The General Secretary of AKEL informed the Association about the course of the Cyprus problem and the dangers and difficulties that exist stemming from the prolonged impasse.
Issues such as the further strengthening and upgrading of the country’s defense capacity in staff, new equipment, infrastructures, in the balanced development of the three branches (Army, Navy and Airforce) were discussed, as well as ways of utilizing the funds from the little the people have. The General Secretary of AKEL stressed that the Defense Shield Budget should primarily serve the purpose of strengthening the National Guard, be within the country’s economic capabilities and respect the will of the people.
A.Kyprianou referred to the role of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and the need for it to remain on the island, contributing towards maintaining peace, until the final solution of the Cyprus problem.
The General of AKEL stressed the retired Officer’s role in the effort to strengthen our country’s defence and agreed with the Association’s efforts, such as seeking the proper utilisation of retired officers. He stressed that it is inconceivable that there are so many shortages in qualified staff and while the reservists are called up, retired officers who have so much experience seek to be called up themselves, without pay, in the Armed Forces, while there is no corresponding response on the part of the government.
The General Secretary of AKEL agreed with the Association that society demands that the problem of noncompliant reservists should be addressed, so that everyone, rightly, fulfills their obligations to the homeland. He stressed the need for effective measures to be taken and called on state officials not to undermine this effort with derogatory statements that harm the spirit of conscious citizens.
The reduction in the duration of military service in 2016 and its consequences were also discussed. The General Secretary of AKEL stressed that despite the fact that this was a longstanding social demand, the government – 70 days before the elections – imposed it without first meeting the preconditions set by the National Guard, without its knowledge and without hiring a sufficient number of National Guard Contract Soldiers, putting the country’s security in danger.
A.Kyprianou praised the important role of the National Guard and reservists, who represent the backbone of the National Guard, and agreed that they should be used in the most efficient way, within the framework of the National Guard’s reorganisation.
The General Secretary of AKEL thanked Retired Officers for their valuable service to our country and stressed that AKEL is at their disposal to discuss and assist their efforts to improve the National Guard’s deterrent capabilities.
Finally, the General Secretary of AKEL assured the Association that AKEL is also concerned with them about the country’s future and is struggling for justice to prevail, to prevent the partition of Cyprus and reunite our homeland and people.
