Chairman of the EU Military Commission (EUMC), General Robert Brieger who pays an official visit to Cyprus (April 24-26), at the invitation of the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas held meetings with the political and military leadership. According to a communiqué by the National Guard, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, the official welcoming ceremony of the EUMC Chairman took place at the Headquarters of the National Guard followed by a private meeting with the Chief Tsitsikostas. EUMC Chairman's visit to the Headquarters of the National Guard also included a briefing on the mission and operational capabilities of the National Guard, as well as extended talks regarding current issues related to the Common Security and Defense Policy of the European Union, such as the development of military capabilities of rapid response and ongoing military operations. Brieger and Tsitsikostas also exchanged views on broader security issues such as developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and Ukraine. General Brieger's program also included a meeting with the Minister of Defense, Vassilis Palmas, while he was also received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, at the presence of National Guard Chief. Visits of operational interest include, among others, the "Evangelos Florakis" Naval Base and the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, where the Chairman of the EUMC will be informed about their mission, work and capabilities. General Brieger also visited the Makedonitissa Military Cemetery, where he laid a wreath paying tribute to the memory of those fell for protecting the freedom of the Republic of Cyprus during 1974 Turkish invasion of the island. It is noted that Brieger's visit takes place 3 weeks before the Regular Meeting of the EU Military Committee in Brussels, at the level of Chiefs of Armed Forces of the 27 member states, in the context of which elections for new EUMC Chairman will take place. General Brieger completes his term in May 2025. As part of the preparations, Chief Tsitsikostas had personal or telephone contacts, exchanging views with all the candidates. Source: Cyprus News Agency

Chairman of the EU Military Commission (EUMC), General Robert Brieger who pays an official visit to Cyprus (April 24-26), at the invitation of the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas held meetings with the political and military leadership. According to a communiqué by the National Guard, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, the official welcoming ceremony of the EUMC Chairman took place at the Headquarters of the National Guard followed by a private meeting with the Chief Tsitsikostas. EUMC Chairman's visit to the Headquarters of the National Guard also included a briefing on the mission and operational capabilities of the National Guard, as well as extended talks regarding current issues related to the Common Security and Defense Policy of the European Union, such as the development of military capabilities of rapid response and ongoing military operations. Brieger and Tsitsikostas also exchanged views on broader security issues such as developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and Ukraine. General Brieger's program also included a meeting with the Minister of Defense, Vassilis Palmas, while he was also received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, at the presence of National Guard Chief. Visits of operational interest include, among others, the "Evangelos Florakis" Naval Base and the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, where the Chairman of the EUMC will be informed about their mission, work and capabilities. General Brieger also visited the Makedonitissa Military Cemetery, where he laid a wreath paying tribute to the memory of those fell for protecting the freedom of the Republic of Cyprus during 1974 Turkish invasion of the island. It is noted that Brieger's visit takes place 3 weeks before the Regular Meeting of the EU Military Committee in Brussels, at the level of Chiefs of Armed Forces of the 27 member states, in the context of which elections for new EUMC Chairman will take place. General Brieger completes his term in May 2025. As part of the preparations, Chief Tsitsikostas had personal or telephone contacts, exchanging views with all the candidates. Source: Cyprus News Agency