October 1 is officially celebrated as the day of the proclamation of Cyprus’s Independence.

Cyprus was declared an independent, sovereign state on August 16, 1960, according to the Zurich and London agreements of 1959 and following the liberation struggle of EOKA (1955-1959) against British colonial rule. However, on July 11, 1963, the Council of Ministers, which then consisted of seven Greek Cypriots and three Turkish Cypriots, decided to establish October 1 as the official Independence Day of Cyprus so that it could be celebrated with all due honours in the presence of the diplomatic corps.

The Republic of Cyprus is today celebrating the 65th anniversary of its independence with commemorative events and a large military parade in Nicosia.

The parade began at 9 a.m. on Iosif Hadjiosif Avenue, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, who received the salute. He was flanked by the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, the Minister of Defence, Vassilis Palmas, the Deputy Minister of National Defence of Greece, Thanasis Davakis, and the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas.

Motorised and marching units, as well as air assets from the National Guard, the Police, the Fire Service, Civil Defence, the Department of Forests, and the Health Services, are participating in the parade.

In 2025, the National Guard has also acquired other new weapon systems. Over the skies of Nicosia, there are flypasts of the new H145M helicopters, which were received last May at the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos.

The Greek F-16s made an impressive appearance in the sky over Cyprus.

Motorised and marching units are taking part in the parade, as well as air assets from the National Guard, the Police, the Fire Service, Civil Defence, the Department of Forests, and the Health Services.

In 2025, the National Guard has also acquired other new weapon systems. It is considered a given that the new H145M helicopters, which were received last May at the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos, will fly over the skies of Nicosia during the parade. It is also estimated that the AKERON missiles on SHERPA-type vehicles may appear in the parade. These are guided missiles with target engagement capabilities beyond line of sight (BLOS). It is recalled that the Republic of Cyprus signed a contract for the supply of 12 Sherpa armoured vehicles with the French company Arquus last May during the international DEFEA exhibition in Athens. Finally, despite leaks and the revelation that Cyprus has acquired and already received the Israeli Barak MX anti-aircraft system, it is not expected to be seen parading on the streets of Nicosia.

The event is being attended by ambassadors and defence attachés of foreign countries, officials, and a large crowd of citizens. The ceremony began with 21 ceremonial gun salutes.

Earlier, the President of the Republic attended a memorial service and laid a wreath at the Imprisoned Graves in Nicosia. He then laid a wreath at the statue of Archbishop Makarios III in the courtyard of the Presidential Palace, as well as at the Monument of the Resistance Fighters in the Presidential Park.

Source: Parikiaki.com