Reduction of military conscription in Cyprus
Encyclopedia
The proposal for reduction of miltiary conscription in Cyprus has been an old suggestion made by different Cypriot politicians, an idea which still exists today. Conscription in Cyprus
has been introduced in 1974 to defend the island from a future military threats from Turkey
which invaded and still occupies approximately one thirds of Cypriot land. However supporters of reduction of military conscription support a rather professional army personnel, trained especially for the preservation of peach and stability of the island. The main political parties which support this proposal are Democratic Rally
and Progressive Party of Working People
together with a number of pressure and activist groups.
in 2011.
The chairman of the party Nicos Anastasiades
during his press conference presented the proposals of Democratic Rally on Defence, saying that by that way the Cyprus National Guard will be transformed into a modern semi-professional army.
Referring to the economic aspect of his proposal, he has said that for only 4 to 5 years the state would incur additional costs but then the cost will be reduced. The party also suggests that by spending the minimum percent of the Gross Domestic Product on Defence and on preserving the needs of military consripted soldiers, it could spend much more on Education
and Agriculture
Speaking on the sidelines of the sessions of Parliament, Mr. Aristotle commented that the vast majority of the Cypriot people feel and are convinced that we need to promote reorganization of the National Guard to become a well-trained force in contrast to what prevails today since its creation.
President Demetris Christofias, former leader of the party reassured that the overarching objective remains the culmination of an accepted and workable solution to free Cyprus by Turkish troops.
Conscription in Cyprus
Military service in the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus is mandatory for males born of a Cypriot parent, members of the Greek Cypriot community. Its duration is 24 months. Until 2007, conscription was optional for members of the three religious groups, i.e. Armenians, Roman Catholics , and...
has been introduced in 1974 to defend the island from a future military threats from Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
which invaded and still occupies approximately one thirds of Cypriot land. However supporters of reduction of military conscription support a rather professional army personnel, trained especially for the preservation of peach and stability of the island. The main political parties which support this proposal are Democratic Rally
Democratic Rally
The Democratic Rally , is a centre-right political party in Cyprus, led by Nicos Anastasiades.The party was founded on 4 July 1976 by veteran politician Glafkos Klerides. Clerides served as Cyprus president from 1993 until 2003....
and Progressive Party of Working People
Progressive Party of Working People
The Progressive Party of Working People is a communist party in Cyprus. It supports an independent, demilitarized and non-aligned Cyprus, and a federal solution of the internal aspect of the Cyprus problem. It places particular emphasis on rapprochement with the Turkish Cypriots. It supported...
together with a number of pressure and activist groups.
Reduction of Military conscription and Turkish Occupation of Cyprus
Supporters of reduction of military conscription suggest the better management of the National Guard in an attack with a limited but highly disciplined paid personnel rather than a chaotic large group of undisqualified soldiers. They insist that Cyprus National Guard requires a large expenditure for its needs which could be spend on other aspects of life on the island which lack financial support. This idea is planned to be put in practise in the near future by confining military conscription from 24 months to 12 months.Democratic Rally's support for ending or reduction of military consription
Democratic rally has been a constant supporter of confining military conspription to the minimum number of months. A motion for reduction of military service from 25 to 14 months, while recruiting the necessary number of professional soldiers backed the Democratic RallyDemocratic Rally
The Democratic Rally , is a centre-right political party in Cyprus, led by Nicos Anastasiades.The party was founded on 4 July 1976 by veteran politician Glafkos Klerides. Clerides served as Cyprus president from 1993 until 2003....
in 2011.
The chairman of the party Nicos Anastasiades
Nicos Anastasiades
Nicos Anastasiades is a Cypriot politician who is the political leader of the centre-right political party DISY . In parliamentary elections on May 22, 2011, the Democratic Rally won 20 seats, which was more than any other party but not a majority of the 56-member House of...
during his press conference presented the proposals of Democratic Rally on Defence, saying that by that way the Cyprus National Guard will be transformed into a modern semi-professional army.
Referring to the economic aspect of his proposal, he has said that for only 4 to 5 years the state would incur additional costs but then the cost will be reduced. The party also suggests that by spending the minimum percent of the Gross Domestic Product on Defence and on preserving the needs of military consripted soldiers, it could spend much more on Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and Agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
Progressive Party of Working People's support for ending military conscription
A MP of Akel, Aristos Aristotelous in a press conference for party's stance on the issue is that the reduction of military service is a requirement of society and those who oppose will be confronted with the public.Speaking on the sidelines of the sessions of Parliament, Mr. Aristotle commented that the vast majority of the Cypriot people feel and are convinced that we need to promote reorganization of the National Guard to become a well-trained force in contrast to what prevails today since its creation.
President Demetris Christofias, former leader of the party reassured that the overarching objective remains the culmination of an accepted and workable solution to free Cyprus by Turkish troops.