Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, announced on Sunday evening 'the government's decision to allow women, upon completion of their studies at high schools and technical schools, to voluntarily enlist the National Guard, with a minimum of six months and a maximum of 14 months', noting that the issue will be put before the Council of Ministers in a few days, a press release issued by the Presidency said. Addressing an event to mark the '60 years of the National Guard' held at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, the President of the Republic said that the National Guard was founded in 1964 in order to prevent the Turkish plans for the partition of Cyprus. President Christodoulides announced that 'from 2025, with a decision of the Council of Ministers in a few days, and I hope - I am making an appeal to the members of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence - that it will be passed quickly (from the parliament) so that girls will have the possibility of voluntary joining the National Guard, like men, immediate ly after completing high school and the technical schools they attend. They will be able to voluntarily serve the National Guard, with a minimum service of six months and a maximum of 14 months, like their male school mates at 14 months," the President noted. He said that the government's aim is to strengthen the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus and noted that one of their first decisions as the government of the country was to upgrade the working conditions of Contract Hoplites (SYOP). He also noted that the National Guard has a key role in the fight against illegal immigration, in the fight against terrorism, in firefighting, in search and rescue exercises and in everything that has been requested by the Cypriot state. On his part, Defence Minister, Vasilis Palmas, said in his address at the event that "we are methodically strengthening the National Guard, upgrading our operational readiness and deterrent capability", adding that "by maintaining our defence capabilities at a high level, we aim t o safeguard our national security and territorial integrity". Source: Cyprus News Agency