The military agreement between Greece and Israel for the development of the so-called 'Achilles Shield' constitutes a protective shield for the two countries as well as Cyprus against the common threat posed by Turkey, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said, stressing that the agreement strengthens security in the wider region and safeguards the territorial integrity of the three countries.
Speaking on Friday, 4 September, on the sidelines of a ceremony held at a military camp in Nicosia for students who will attend Greece’s Military Academies, Palmas said the agreement constitutes bilateral cooperation between two allied countries, Greece and Israel.
He said that the military agreement was preceded by high-level political consultations between the two countries.
Referring to the agreement’s significance for Cyprus, the Defence Minister said that the common element among the three countries is the common risks they face.
“To be clear and precise, we mean that all three countries face Turkey as a threat,” he said.
Palmas noted that Cyprus has been facing 52 years of occupation, while Greece, he said, faces daily violations of its airspace and territorial waters, as well as violations of international law.
He added that similar issues exist in Israel’s relations with Turkey.
“Therefore, the three countries, which have excellent political relations and military cooperation at various levels, coordinate and can jointly find ways and synergies to address these security risks” he said.
According to the Defence Minister, the aim of these synergies is to enhance security in the wider region and safeguard the territorial integrity and sovereignty of each of the three states.
(Source: CNA)
