Doaa Mohamed
Mr Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas said last night in Nicosia during an event held on the occasion of the Egyptian Armed Forces Day that Cyprus and Egypt have established close and sincere cooperation, guided by their mutual desire to achieve regional stability.
The Minister pointed out in his speech that the role of the Armed Forces is becoming increasingly important in today’s rapidly evolving modern environment, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
He said that we are guided by the mutual desire to achieve stability, security and regional peace, and to effectively address common challenges, and accordingly, Cyprus and Egypt have established close and sincere cooperation in the fields of defense and security.
Minister Palmas added that in this context, we have agreed on a bilateral cooperation program in addition to a tripartite mechanism with Greece, through which joint exercises and training are conducted for the benefit of our armed forces. Prominent examples of this are the “Bright Star”, “Medusa” and “Argonaut” maneuvers.
He also noted that Cyprus and Egypt remain united and steadfast in our commitment to protect our citizens and contribute to the return of stability, security and peace to the region, and said that the crisis in Gaza has escalated into a wider conflict and that we are witnessing serious consequences.
“The Republic of Cyprus wishes to see an end to the cycle of violence and the establishment of peace and security in the region,” the Minister of Defense stressed, adding that “we reiterate our position that further escalation must be avoided. We call for a two-state political solution, in line with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.”
The Minister stressed that peace and prosperity in the region can only be achieved through mutual respect and understanding.
“In this context, and aware of the importance of maintaining constructive relations with all countries, including our neighbors, I would like to emphasize that our military cooperation is not a provocation to anyone,” Palmas said.
He added that “peaceful coexistence is not only a goal, but a necessity in today’s world. Collective security is strengthened when we seek understanding, dialogue and cooperation, rather than confrontation and conflict.”
He concluded his speech by pointing out that this anniversary reminds us that together, we can build a brighter future for our people and for the Eastern Mediterranean.
