Cyprus National Independence Day: Daily order of the chief of the National Guard October 1, 2025

Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Military School Students, Contracted Soldiers, Soldiers, Sailors, Squad Members, Reservists, National Guardsmen and Civilian Personnel of the National Guard,

With feelings of pride and emotion, we celebrate today the 65th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Cyprus. October 1st marks the recognition of Cyprus as an independent state and its establishment as a sovereign and equal member of the Community of Nations.

65 years later, the Independence of Cyprus remains the crowning event in the island's modern history, because our ancestors, after centuries of Ottoman rule and colonialism, defying the negative balance of power, dared, fought and, ultimately, tasted the supreme good of Freedom, a long-standing and pious desire of generations and generations of Greek Cypriots and the entire Nation.

At a time when international omens were against it, the boldness, heroism and sacrifice of the fighters of the legendary EOKA, as well as national unity, were crucial to the successful outcome of the Armed Liberation Struggle.

The entire Cypriot people, men and women, regardless of age, famous and unknown, a multitude of priests and clergy, following in the footsteps of the Greek Revolution of 1821, placed themselves at the disposal of the Homeland and proclaimed to all humanity that the Greeks of Cyprus, genuine descendants of glorious ancestors, are determined to live free or die.

The result of the decisive and unyielding Struggle of 1955-1959 was the signing of the Zurich-London Treaty, which formed the framework for the free governance of the Cypriot people, which was followed by the ceremony of establishing the Republic of Cyprus on August 16, 1960, a day which marked the end of colonialism.

Since its establishment, the newly established Cypriot state has joined important international organizations, with the highest point being its accession to the great family of the European Union. It has steadily and continuously marched on the global stage, based on the principles and rules of International Law and functioning as a pillar of balance and stability in the sensitive region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

The path, however, has never been easy. Since the early years of independence, the state has been tested by crises, conflicts and external interventions, culminating in the painful, to this day, consequences of the Turkish invasion and the uprooting of thousands of Greek Cypriots from their ancestral homes.

Women and Men of the National Guard,

The current events within and outside our borders, the 51-year illegal occupation of 1/3 of the island, as well as the evolving Turkish provocation, do not allow for any complacency. Having as a basis of reference that the enemy is not at the gates but within the gates, we are obliged to operate 24 hours a day in a state of constant readiness, without any margin for inaction, to defend the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus on land, sea and air.  

The anniversary of October 1st ^is an inspiration to remain committed to our duty and Mission. Freedom is not given and the path of struggle and sacrifice never ends.

So, on the occasion of today and drawing inspiration from the glorious heroes of our Nation, I call on you to continue, as never before, to continuously improve in order to strengthen the operational readiness and combat capability of our Formations and Units. The cooperation, coordination and mobilization of all is required. No one is left out in this effort.

It is up to us to prove ourselves worthy of the historical debt and responsibility bequeathed to us by our ancestors. We owe it to the Cyprus of today, to the Cyprus of tomorrow, to our children and to the generations that will follow.

Expressing our respect and gratitude to the heroic freedom fighters for what they have given us, we promise them that we are ready to respond to every challenge with speed, determination, precision and flexibility, bringing about the desired result "in place and time".

With these thoughts and a wish for prosperity and success in the efforts to liberate our Cyprus, I call on you to exclaim:

                                                                                       Long live the Nation 

                                                                                       Long live Cyprus!

                                                                                      Long live the National Guard

Lieutenant General George Tsitsikostas