On Friday, the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis, bid farewell to the former Chief of the National Guard, Lt. Gen. Dimokritos Zervakis, keeping in mind the latter’s love for Cyprus, which exceeds his official abilities and what he has offered to our homeland.

For his part, the former Chief said that he will always have a bond with Cyprus because of his love for this occupied homeland and expressed confidence that with the efforts made by the President of the Republic “at some point we will live in a liberated, reunited homeland” and people will return “to Kyrenia, which is our vision”.

Speaking at the farewell meeting held because of the completion of Mr. Zervakis’ term in Cyprus, which took place at the Presidential Palace in the presence of the Minister of Defence, Michalis Giorgallas, the President of the Republic, after thanking the former Chief for the “very constructive cooperation in both difficult and easy times”, mentioned that he also worked with Mr. Zervakis when he held the office of Foreign Minister.

“What I keep and will always keep in mind after these three and a half years of your presence (in the National Guard), beyond your service and all that you have done, is your love for Cyprus that I felt in each of our meetings, whether formal or friendly,” he underlined.

President Christodoulidis said that “it has been a great honor for us that you served in such an important position” and referred to the “importance of being the Chief of the National Guard in a semi-occupied homeland.”

He stated that for this reason and for many others – which he referred to during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief of the National Guard – “I personally would like to thank you warmly on behalf of the Cypriot people.”

Mr. Zervakis said that after 44 years of military service he leaves the army, even though he belongs to the army of his homeland.

“I have given my best for the country and the nation,” he emphasized.

The former Chief of the National Guard stressed that he only made friends in Cyprus and these friends, in his words, will be my bond with Cyprus, “just as the real love for this enslaved homeland will be.”

Mr. Zevrakis finally expressed confidence that with all the efforts made by the President of the Republic “at some point we will live in a liberated, reunited homeland and people will return to Kyrenia, which is our vision.”