The Republic of Cyprus needs constant defending, and constant renewal

Opinion 1974cyprusturkish invasion The Republic of Cyprus needs constant defending, and constant renewal Cyprus 1295696 1280 Relevant News The Republic of Cyprus needs constant defending, and constant renewal 18 August 2026 UK issues travel warning over fertility treatment in Cyprus after IVF donor scandal 18 August 2026 Things to do on Tuesday, August 18 18 August 2026 Phileleftheros Editorial 18 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Republic of Cyprus is not just our shared home, our state. Our survival here depends on it. That’s precisely why defending and strengthening it isn’t optional. It’s the only way forward. 16 August marks the anniversary of the signing, in an official ceremony, of Cyprus’s independence. The Republic of Cyprus was born that day. Last Sunday marked 66 years since. For the record: the signing took place at an official ceremony in the House of Representatives, at midnight between 15 and 16 August 1960. It was signed by the last British Governor of Cyprus, Hugh Foot, alongside the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III, and the Vice President, Fazıl Küçük. The Constitution came into force on 16 August 1960. Our state, the Republic of Cyprus, as the President of the Republic put it in a post on X, “is our most significant achievement. Respecting, protecting and continuously strengthening its standing, and reinforcing every element of its power, both domestically and on the international stage, is our highest priority.” Despite the problems, the constant undermining, the obstacles thrown in its path, the Republic of Cyprus holds real strategic assets. Various third parties want to grab those assets for themselves, not least occupying Turkey. It has genuine political and strategic advantages. These have been strengthened by its activity in the energy sector, by its partnerships with countries across the region through the well-known trilateral schemes, and by other forms of cooperation at various levels. Geographically and strategically, the Republic of Cyprus sits at Europe’s edge: the bridge between the EU and the Middle East. The Republic of Cyprus has endured, despite the determined efforts of various powers and superpowers alike to pull it apart. And it hasn’t just endured. It keeps moving forward. Mistakes were made, and there were plenty of them. What matters is admitting those mistakes, examining them so they aren’t repeated. That’s the only way we move forward. Since 1974, since the Turkish invasion, it has become ever clearer that our state is the only vehicle we have for our future. And we owe it constant defence, constant strengthening, constant renewal. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News UK issues travel warning over fertility treatment in Cyprus after IVF donor scandal Things to do on Tuesday, August 18 Don’t let the killers off the hook How Cyprus fared at the 2026 European Athletics Championships Cyprus ranks first worldwide for video game firms per capita, report finds Cyprus, Greek banks shift focus from rates to growth after strong H1 New decree to target support for energy-poor households in Cyprus Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.