One of Canada's longest military commitments part of international reputation
Reference N14019E
March 5, 2014 – Ottawa – Department of Veterans Affairs
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today welcomed to Ottawa a delegation of ten Canadian Veterans who will accompany him to the island of Cyprus later this month to mark the 50th anniversary since Canada, together with other members of the United Nations, first began crucial peacekeeping operations in the Mediterranean nation.
Canada has invested a half century of service in Cyprus, helping to quell tensions that grew around the time of the island's independence. Canada's contribution has not been without sacrifice—28 Canadian personnel lost their lives serving as part of the mission.
The bulk of the Canadian contingent was withdrawn in 1993, but a small presence remains as UN efforts to bring about a permanent peace continue.
Among other events, the delegation will take part in a rededication of the Canadian Peacekeeping Monument at the UN Buffer Zone in Nicosia, in honour of the men and women who have served in peacekeeping efforts overseas.
The delegation's time in Cyprus will also coincide with the decompression of one of the final groups of Canadian Armed Forces personnel returning from their deployment to Afghanistan as part of Operation ATTENTION, Canada's participation on the NATO training mission in Afghanistan.
