“Greece and Cyprus are pillars of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. And bilaterally and multiplexically through the many shapes we participate in. “

This was emphasized by National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, who is visiting Cyprus today where he first met with Cypriot Defense Minister Vassilis Palma and was subsequently accepted by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides.

“We discussed the wider geopolitical framework in the area,” Mr Dendias said, noting that the two countries welcome the agreement to Gaza while exchanging views on Syria, Lebanon and the Red Sea.

As for the Cyprus issue, Mr Dendias reiterated Greece’s firm position in favor of the Cypriot Republic’s efforts for a fair, balanced and sustainable solution in the context of UN and European acquis decisions. “It is not possible in the 21st century a European capital, Nicosia, to remain separated,” he said.

“I informed,” he continued, Mr Palma on the situation in the Aegean and said they were useful “calm waters and calm ether” but “Turkish behavior” east of Kassos, north of Crete and environmental parks in the Cyclades ” It doesn’t make me particularly optimistic. “

“I would like to welcome the US decision to access the Republic of Cyprus to US Defense programs here. I think this development has a real value and a huge symbolic value, ”the Minister of National Defense said.

“We pointed out,” he added, “still the need to create a single European defense arm” and the exemption of expenditure on defense from EU fiscal rules.

Mr Dendias also invited the Republic of Cyprus to participate in the Hellenic Center for Innovation Development (ELKAK).

For his part, Cypriot Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas said that Cyprus and Greece are pillars of security, peace, stability in the Mediterranean “with undeniable respect as states in the principles and values ​​emanating from the United Nations Charter, Law and the law of the sea. “

He thanked Greece “for the support of the fair demands of the Republic of Cyprus” but also for “the timeless contribution of the Greek governments to the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem with the aim of ensuring the interests of the Cypriot people”.

“During our essential meeting,” Mr Palmas said, “we discussed a wide range of issues concerning, inter alia, the security situation in the Republic of Cyprus, the deepening of relations with friendly countries, the geopolitical situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Developments in the Middle East, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and the War in Ukraine. “

“We discussed,” he continued, “also issues related to the two -day military cooperation of Greece and Cyprus”, while clarifying that the experiences “we have gained in recent years demonstrate the need for wider cooperation at regional and international level as a means of resolving disputes that arise between the resulting disputes between those who arise between Various actors. ” “They show,” he also clarified, “also the need for investment in innovation and technology.”

“We mentioned,” Mr Palmas emphasized, “in actions to strengthen our domestic defense industry” and added: “This strategy will strengthen our autonomy and allow the deepening and conclusion of new partnerships in the field of defense and security. “

“I was informed by Mr Dendia on the evolution of the” shields “of an action that enhances the safety of navigation, ensures free access to trade routes and contributes to the tensions of the Red Sea,” he said.

“We share the view that the EU must acquire a powerful defensive of rock, who can defend beyond the single European space and that he expresses, democracy, freedom, international law, European acquis and the protection of human rights Mr. Palmas concluded.

Mr Dendias was subsequently accepted by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides.

The Cypriot president referred to the need “the EU to take responsibility for the defense of the Member States” within the context of achieving the goal of strategic autonomy, achieving the goal of enhancing the EU’s geostrategic role. “

Among the main objectives of the Republic of Cyprus at the level of defense is the upgrading of the Evangelos Florakis naval base and equipment issues, Mr. Christodoulides said and addressed Mr. Dendia, he continued saying that we “aim at your own help in your own help. We achieve the strengthening of the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus. “

He recalled that he and Mr Dendias, in the recent past, began together “efforts to strengthen regional cooperation”, considering that they were in the right direction “today” Greece and Cyprus “could face modern challenges”.

Mr Dendias congratulated Mr. Christodoulides, stressing that the US initiative was taken in his days to access Cyprus to US equipment but also for the Cypriot president’s effort “to re -establish the Cyprus problem on the rails made by the United States. Nations. “

“I totally co -exist,” Mr Dendias made clear, “Europe’s need to defend its space. And I always say, in order to reassure our transatlantic friends, that this is not something that is incomprehensible to our own obligations in the North Atlantic Pact. It is absolutely compatible and absolutely useful. “

The Minister of National Defense was accompanied in Cyprus and gave the “present” to his meetings, the Chief of General Staff General Dimitrios Houpis and the Chief of the General Staff of the Vice -President (I) Demosthenes Grigoriadis.