Cabinet on Wednesday approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Emmanuel Theodorou as the new Chief of the National Guard, following a proposal submitted by the Defence Ministry.
Theodorou will succeed Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas, whose term concludes on 8 October 2025, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas announced.
Speaking after the Cabinet session, Palmas said the new Chief’s term will run from 9 October 2025 through 8 October 2027. He also expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Chief, Lieutenant General Tsitsikostas, for what he described as “an impeccable and excellent collaboration over the past two years,” while highlighting the General’s “ethos, knowledge, and capabilities.”
Asked about the profile of the incoming Chief, the Defence Minister clarified that General Theodorou is currently serving in active duty. “There has been a shift in the approach adopted by the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence regarding the selection of the Chief of the National Guard. The preference now is for a serving lieutenant general to be appointed to the role,” Palmas explained. He noted that although the officer must formally retire from the Greek Army to join the Cypriot ranks, the appointment is made while the candidate is still in active service.
“In contrast to previous practice—where the position was typically filled by a retired lieutenant general—the new policy stipulates that the appointment be made while the officer is still serving, who then retires specifically to assume the post in Cyprus. This is a new direction chosen by the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, and I would say it is a sound one,” he added.
On the selection process itself, Palmas noted that discussions take place between the Ministries of Defence of Cyprus and Greece.
“There is, of course, a consultation—an exchange of views, if you will—on an informal level, during which two or three potential candidates are identified as most suitable under current conditions. From those candidates, one is ultimately selected,” he said.
He reiterated that the appointee is an active-duty lieutenant general with specific responsibilities within the Hellenic Army. Upon accepting the position, the officer is formally retired from Greek service in order to be integrated into the Cypriot Armed Forces.
Another shift in practice was adopted last year, regarding the Hellenic Forces of Cyprus (ELDYK), whereby the commander of the Greek contingent on the island now serves a maximum of three years with no option of renewal.