The illegal presence of the occupying Turkish army on our island for more than 47 years, as well as the continuous, escalating and unacceptable Turkish demands and challenges, impose today, as never before, the need to further upgrade the defense and readiness of the Armed Forces. said the Speaker of Parliament, Annita Dimitriou.
In her greeting, this morning, during the swearing-in ceremony of the women of the Contract Hoplites, which took place at the "Eumeniou Panagiotou" camp (KEN Limassol), Ms. Dimitriou stated that this swearing-in ceremony is a huge victory "against stereotypes and stereotypes. outdated perceptions of gender discrimination in the defense of our country. On a path that we still have a long way to go and very important steps to take ".
"As a woman, addressing women, I feel proud and excited to see you in the honored uniform of EF, ready to take on the highest duty of offering to the homeland, being fully aware of the challenges you will face, serving the semi-occupied for "Almost half a century is our Cyprus", he added.
The participation of Cypriot women in all the struggles of our country, she added, demonstrates the ability of women to offer equally excellent services in defense and defense of national interests and stressed that status is no longer or should not be a matter of gender, but subject to individual characteristics, such as ethics, discipline, professionalism and dedication required when performing tasks and important missions.
In Cyprus, the Speaker of Parliament continued, the presence of women in the ranks of conventional armaments is a historic, innovative reform in the Armed Forces, which strengthens the Cypriot army and the defense of our country.
Today's swearing-in ceremony, he said, confirms the fact that military service is not just a male affair and pointed out that "women who serve in the army, are proven to perform their duties with professional competence, organizational and administrative skills and the zeal and dedication demonstrate on a daily basis, serving the Armed Forces, strengthen the institution, upgrade and modernize the Armed Forces ".
At the same time, he stressed that the illegal presence of the Turkish occupation army on our island, for more than 47 years, as well as the continuous, escalating and unacceptable Turkish demands and challenges, with the most recent violations of Turkey in the Cyprus EEZ and its arbitrary overthrow status quo in the enclosed area of Famagusta, impose today, as never before, the need to further upgrade the defense and readiness of E.F. with the aim of defending the sovereign rights of our country, the preservation of the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.
In her speech and addressing the young hoplites, the Speaker of Parliament stated that "with your legal oath to obey the Constitution and the Laws, faith and devotion to the homeland and with full awareness of the burden of responsibility you assume, you have set yourself at the disposal of the homeland and I am sure that you will work hard to successfully fulfill your mission and look worthy of the trust and expectations of the homeland ".