Strengthening the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus is a priority, President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Deputy Chief of the National Guard Major General, Neophytos Pachoulides, held at the Presidential Palace. Speaking at the ceremony, President Christodoulides said, among others, that the appointment of Major General Pachoulides to the post of the Deputy Chief of the National Guard was taken on the basis of merit, noting that the National Guard has many remarkable members. He said that he is familiar with Pachoulides' career from his service in the Permanent Representation in Brussels. "I expect that you will fulfil your duties, that you will cooperate first with the Minister of Defence, whom I have known for many years and trust completely, as well as with the Chief of the National Guard, who, despite his short presence in Cyprus, works with actions and not with words," the President of the Republic said, addressi ng Pachoulides. He stated that "I am sure that with your support and assistance the National Guard will be strengthened even more", noting the effort "to transform the National Guard into a semi-professional army." At the same time, he continued, "strengthening the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus is a priority, not only because of the continuing illegal occupation, but, as you know from your presence in Brussels, the Republic of Cyprus as an EU member state has obligations that we must meet. We are in a region of particular geostrategic importance, and we see the developments every day." Addressing President Christodoulides, Pachoulides thanked him for the honour of appointing him as the new Deputy Chief of the National Guard, assuring him that he will work to implement his programme in the areas of security and defence, so that the National Guard fulfills its obligations to the country. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of U N-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. Source: Cyprus News Agency