Cyprus is significantly strengthening its defensive capability with modern equipment and reliable international partnerships, Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides said on Saturday as a military parade was held to mark 62 years of the island’s independence.

“The struggle continues until the liberation from the Turkish occupation and the reunification of our homeland,” he said.

Petrides added that Cyprus’ defence budget in 2022 was the highest in 20 years, while at the same time he praised defensive partnerships that have been struck, both within the European Union and outside of it.

In addition, the minister said that the recent decision to completely lift the US arms embargo speaks for itself since it widens the available armament options for Cyprus.

“The timeless and powerful vision of the Cypriot fighters for freedom and independence is for all of us, for all of Hellenism, an inexhaustible source of inspiration and determination and paves the way for our common path,” Greek Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos, on the island to attend the parade, added.

He said the goal is a “fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the successive resolutions of the Security Council and the European acquis, a solution with full sovereignty, full independence and territorial integrity”.