Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias traveled to Nicosia on Thursday to attend Cyprus's 66th independence day celebratio...

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias traveled to Nicosia on Thursday to attend Cyprus's 66th independence day celebrations, delivering a direct message of deterrence aimed squarely at Turkey. Speaking after the military parade, Dendias said freedom, sovereignty, and democracy all require defensive strength and the ability to deter. He tied that directly to Greece's military modernization program, known as "Agenda 2030," saying Greece is building that deterrence capability right now. He was accompanied by Greek military chief General Dimitrios Houpis. Dendias met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis at the Presidential Palace, assuring him that Greece would stand beside Cyprus both as a fellow Hellenic nation and as a partner within the European family. He conveyed warm greetings from the Greek government and Prime Minister, saying the Greek people have always stood beside Cypriot Greeks. The military display reinforced the message. Greek F-16s flew over the parade ground, and the Greek Cypriot Force (ELDYK) paraded armored vehicles including LEONIDAS armored personnel carriers and M106 units. The Greek frigate Nikiforos Fokas is docked at Larnaca port and open to the public. British Armed Forces Chief Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton was present, alongside military representatives from Egypt, France, and the United States. Dendias also called out Turkey's ongoing occupation of northern Cyprus directly. He described Cyprus as a historic achievement for Hellenism that for more than half a century has suffered the consequences of invasion and occupation, adding that no one has the right to forget that. His visit coincided with fresh interference from Turkey's Defense Ministry over the planned Greece-Cyprus electricity cable. Ankara demanded prior coordination and approval for cable work in areas it claims as its own continental shelf, citing its maritime agreements with Libya and the self-declared northern Cypriot state. Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis had already responded on September 29, saying permits will come from Greece alone, and that the NAVTEX issued was simply a navigational safety notice. Turkey also condemned the independence...