Celebrations to mark the 59th anniversary of the Cypriot Republic’s declaration of independence on Tuesday included a military parade attended by President Nicos Anastasiades.
Cyprus achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1960 and became a member of the Commonwealth in 1961.
The parade in Nicosia began with a 21-gun salute and the singing of the Cypriot national anthem.
In his remarks celebrating the occasion, Anastasiades said that this day “is a day of reflection, and a day the offers an opportunity to send a message that we want peace, that we seek those conditions that will allow us to live peacefully with our compatriots. [in occupied northern Cyprus].”
“At the same time, in the face of Turkey’s threats we must build our defenses to protect the Republic of Cyprus from any harm,’ President Anastasiades said.
Greek Defense Minister Nicos Panayiotopoulos and the Defense Minister of Serbia, Alexander Vucic, also attended the Independence Day parade.
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