London, Thanasis Gavos

Developments in the Middle East, including the Cyprus initiative for a humanitarian sea corridor, the Cyprus Strait and the recent incidents in Pyla, as well as bilateral defense cooperation were at the center of the meeting of the Defense Ministers of Cyprus and the United Kingdom in London.

Michalis Giorgallas was received in the morning by his counterpart Grand Sapps at the British Ministry of Defense in Whitehall.

Among the various issues discussed by the two ministers, Mr. Giorgallas first spoke about the situation in the Middle East as it is shaping up after the Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip.

In this context, the minister added, the debate was also occupied by the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus to create a humanitarian corridor through which aid can be channeled to the Gaza area.

“On the part of Great Britain and the Minister of Defense of the country, I found their understanding and intention to consider their own contribution and participation in this effort of the Republic of Cyprus”, noted the Cypriot minister.

The second major issue that occupied the meeting was the situation in Cyprus and the Cypriot region after the recent incidents by the Turkish Cypriot side in Pyla against British members of the United Nations peacekeeping force.

The third issue on which there was a special discussion between the two ministers was the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nicosia and London

As Mr. Giorgallas said, “we searched and reviewed the current possibilities for cooperation and we have essentially launched the cooperation between the two countries on a new basis – a new basis that will be governed by transparency, consultation and common understanding on some issues, especially in this period when the UK essentially uses the bases as a base for some of its own actions towards the Middle East and the area of ​​confrontations and wars”.

The Minister of Defense added that there was also an agreement with his counterpart for the maximum possible consultation and cooperation in the event that it is required to evacuate citizens from the area of ​​Lebanon.