Only pride and warm congratulations to the participants in this impressive exercise IRIS 2026. As long as there is occupation and as long as there is political and geopolitical fluidity in our wider region, we must train, improve, and strengthen our deterrent power to effectively protect our territorial integrity and our sovereignty, but first and above all, to ensure the safety of the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus. The Minister of Defense, Vasilis Palmas, stated after the completion of the exercise that as long as occupation continues and political and geopolitical fluidity prevails in the wider region, Cyprus must train, improve, and strengthen its deterrent power, aimed at safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens. #Κύπρος #ΙΡΙΣ2026 #ΑμυντικήΔύναμη (translated)
