Defence Ministers of Cyprus and Greece, Vasilis Palmas and Nikos Dendias, respectively, had a meeting on Monday in Athens during which they discussed, among others, issues related to the two countries’ defence and military cooperation.
During joint statements to the media, after the meeting, Palmas, who paid an official visit to Greece, referred to the firm relation between Cyprus and Greece, as well as to the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
“The sincere, close and lasting cooperation between Cyprus and Greece is a key component of the defence policy of the Republic of Cyprus. This is the basis for all of our efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem,” Palmas said.
The Cypriot Defence Minister informed his Greek counterpart about the “security situation on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, with particular reference to Turkey’s provocative actions in the buffer zone”.
At the same time, the two Ministers discussed issues concerning the bilateral defence and military c
ooperation, the trilateral cooperation with Israel, Egypt and Jordan, as well as the quadrilateral cooperation with France and Italy. The two Ministers also exchanged views on the defence cooperation between the two countries and the USA.
“As the Republic of Cyprus, especially after the lifting of the arms sales embargo (by the US), we aim to further deepen our cooperation with the US, which enhances our role in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region,” Palmas said.
Finally, he noted that cooperation between the two countries in the framework of the European Union was also at the focus of their discussions, as well as the situation in Ukraine.
Palmas extended an official invitation to Dendias to visit Cyprus.
On his part, the Greek Defence Minister, thanked his Cypriot counterpart for the update on the Cyprus problem, which, he assured, is a top priority for the Greek state.
“Greece firmly supports the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, i.e. a solution
providing for a bizonal bicommunal federation, based on the UN Security Council resolutions and of course based on the European acquis”, Dendias stressed.
“Such a future cannot involve occupying troops, cannot involve guarantees”, he stressed, welcoming the appointment by the UN Secretary General of a new personal envoy for Cyprus.
At the same time, he condemned all kinds of revisionism, stressing that both Greece and Cyprus defend the international law, the International Law of the Sea, as well as the principles and values of the UN Charter.
The Greek Defence Minister also informed his Cypriot counterpart about the letter that the General Staff of the Navy received from the US Navy regarding the acceptance in principle of Greece’s expression of interest in the design and co-production of up to 7 new Constellation class frigates, in Greek shipyards.
He also briefed Minister Palmas on the “Armed Forces 2030” agenda and invited the Republic of Cyprus to participate in the Greek defence innovation ecosystem
being created.
Finally, he informed his Cypriot counterpart about the letter of the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Greece’s participation in the F-35 program.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency