Cyprus celebrated its 65th Independence Day on October 1, with the annual military parade taking center stage in Nicosia. The event unfolded along Iosif Hadjiosif Avenue in Strovolos, in the presence of President Nikos Christodoulides, the Deputy Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, as well as other state officials, diplomats, and a large crowd of citizens.
The parade showcased both mechanized and infantry units, alongside aerial displays by the National Guard, the Police, the Fire Service, Civil Defence, the Forestry Department, and the Health Services. New defense systems acquired in 2025 were also presented to the public.
One of the highlights was the appearance of the newly acquired H145M helicopters, delivered last May to the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos. Equally striking was the flyover by Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighter jets, a moment that drew particular attention in the Cypriot sky. The ceremony began with a 21-gun salute, marking the significance of the day.
The commemoration carried strong symbolic weight, reflecting both Cyprus’s turbulent past and its aspirations for the future. The government placed emphasis on the resilience of the Republic since its founding in 1960, its progress as a member of the European Union, and its ongoing commitment to strengthening its defense, economy, and international role.
Central to the day’s message was the reaffirmation of Cyprus’s ultimate objective: liberation and reunification. This goal, as highlighted during the celebrations, remains at the heart of the Republic’s political vision, pursued through a combination of domestic strength and active diplomacy abroad.
