Cyprus President decorates outgoing Chief of Staff

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias decorated outgoing Chief of Staff of the National Guard Lieutenant General Constantinos Bisbikas with the Medal of the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Cyprus, along with a certificate, noting the ''fraternal relationship'' between the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Cyprus.

Speaking at a special ceremony at the Presidential Palace, President Christofias welcomed the new Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Petros Tsalikides, expressing certainty that he would continue ''the tradition of close cooperation with the Minister of Defence, as outgoing Chief Bisbikas.''

President Christofias also referred to the excellent relations of cooperation, solidarity and support between Greece and Cyprus, and welcomed the presence of the Greek Ambassador in Nicosia at the ceremony.

Thanking the President for the honour, Bisbikas wished ''strength and courage'' to President Christofias so that his efforts to solve the Cyprus problem are successful.

He added that he was delivering ''a National Guard with a high standard of training, discipline and morale, a strong deterrent force, capable of meeting the demands of today and the challenges of tomorrow.''