Sigma Live

Annetta: Hologram of Clerides was not AI - Our concept is not ELAM

Published March 6, 2026, 09:08
Annetta: Hologram of Clerides was not AI - Our concept is not ELAM

The President of the House of Representatives and President of the Democratic Rally, Annita Demetriou, extensively discussed developments in the Middle East, the discussion about Cyprus's accession to NATO, the management of the crisis following the drone attack on British bases in Akrotiri, the issue of foot-and-mouth disease, and the upcoming parliamentary elections, in an interview with the show "Protoseleido". Referring initially to the discussion about the possible accession of the Republic of Cyprus to NATO, Ms. Demetriou reiterated the long-standing position of the Democratic Rally in favor of such a prospect, emphasizing that the country's western orientation is a strategic choice. "It is no secret that the Democratic Rally – at least our position and belief – is that if we could join NATO, it should have been done yesterday," she said. As she said, "the country's orientation is western" and participation in such an alliance "will strengthen the security, the security complex that our homeland needs". She acknowledged that there are serious obstacles, mainly due to the presence of Turkey in the Alliance. "We do not ignore the difficulties. We know the difficulties, given that Turkey is a member of NATO," she said. However, she argued that the political significance of such a position remains important. "It is important politically to state or record your intention to join," she noted, pointing out that Cyprus has faced similar difficulties in other international processes in the past. "When Cyprus joined the European Union, there were also reactions and interests," she recalled, adding that the country eventually became a full member of the EU "through correct political and diplomatic maneuvers." According to her, "the strategic plans of the Republic of Cyprus, despite the existing difficulties, cannot stop. They must be there and we must fight for them".