The Ministers of Defence of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt have agreed to strengthen defence cooperation through joint exercises and training, greater interoperability and the exchange of expertise.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence, following their 6th Trilateral Defence Meeting in Cairo, the three Ministers signed a Joint Declaration.
“During the meeting, the excellent relations between the three countries and their shared will to further deepen cooperation to safeguard regional security were reaffirmed, based on respect for the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), other relevant agreements and the rules of international law,” the press release said.
It also noted that the three Ministers exchanged views on international and regional developments, security challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the impact of ongoing crises on regional security and stability.
The importance of cooperation to de-escalate tensions and the need to end armed conflicts were also stressed, while the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining constructive dialogue as a key means of peacefully resolving disputes, the press release added.
Particular emphasis was also placed on strengthening operational cooperation through joint exercises and training, as well as enhancing interoperability and the exchange of expertise. Ways of strengthening trilateral cooperation in the areas of maritime security, search and rescue, cyber defence and the protection of critical infrastructure were also discussed, it is noted.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the three sides agreed to maintain the momentum of trilateral defence cooperation, with the aim of further strengthening security, resilience and stability in the wider region.
On the sidelines of the trilateral meeting, Cyprus Minister of Defence, Vasilis Palmas, met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil El-Sisi and held separate bilateral meetings with his two counterparts, Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher and Nikos Dendias, during which the progress and prospects of Cyprus’ bilateral defence cooperation with Greece and Egypt, as well as regional issues of common interest, were discussed.
(Source: CNA)
