Filenews 11 June 2022 - by Andreas Pimpisis
The complete lifting of the arms embargo against the Republic of Cyprus by the United States is one of the main objectives set by Nicosia. Speaking about the results of his important visit to the US, Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides told "F" that this issue was at the heart of what he discussed in Washington.
He stressed to his interlocutors that "Cyprus meets the criteria and conditions for the US government to proceed with the complete lifting of the embargo". An important development, the Secretary of Defence suggests, as "it will allow us to procure U.S. defence equipment and thus upgrade the operational capabilities of the National Guard." Further on the Cypriot-American cooperation, the ULA noted that in the coming months "agreements and programs will be completed that will further upgrade the civil-military cooperation of the two countries".
In response to the Turkish reactions, Ch. Petrides stressed that "in the face of Turkish rhetoric, the Republic of Cyprus, as a sovereign state and member state of the EU, will continue in a systematic way to defend its sovereign rights". He also stressed that it is the Turkish side that is causing destabilization in the region.
- You were recently in Washington, D.C., on the first visit of a Cypriot Defence Minister to the US. Does this also signal the new state of affairs in which the positions of the two countries find themselves?
- In recent years we have aimed at strengthening cooperation with other states by highlighting the role of the Republic of Cyprus as a pillar of security and stability in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean. In the context of defence diplomacy we have laid the foundations for strengthening our cooperation with the US. We have succeeded, over the last year, in initiating a dialogue on defence issues and we have implemented important military initiatives. The recent job visit is a result of this growing relationship.
During the meeting, I had the opportunity to meet with the US Assistant Secretary of Defence, in charge of international security, Dr. Celeste Wallander, as well as with other high-ranking officials at the Pentagon, the State Department and the National Security Council.
- What is it that you brought with you returning to Cyprus. What do you consider the most important gain from this visit?
- Taking stock of our visit to New York and Washington, I believe that the most important gain is the confirmed will of both sides to further deepen relations and the readiness for a series of actions that will help achieve the desired result, which is stable and long-term cooperation.
Within the next few months, agreements and cooperation programmes are expected to be completed that will further upgrade the political-military cooperation of the two countries.
- You talk about rapid growth in the defence cooperation of the two countries. In what areas has there been a change and how close or far are we from the complete lifting of restrictions on American military weapons?
- Undoubtedly, this visit took place at a difficult global time due to the war in Ukraine, marking a new era in terms of our bilateral relations.
Some of the initiatives under way are sufficiently indicative to see the progress in relations between the two countries. The initiatives include, among others, the partial lifting of the embargo on the supply of non-lethal equipment, the joint exercises and trainings that take place on an annual basis between the Armed Forces of the two countries, the participation of NG personnel in military institutions and Academies of the USA through the International Military Training Program (HIT), the creation of the CYCLOPS Training Center and the establishment of an annual security dialogue.
In particular, for the complete lifting of restrictions on American military weapons, I believe that every effort is being made to achieve the desired objective. In the context of my visit, I had the opportunity to discuss this issue with all my interlocutors, stressing that Cyprus meets the criteria and conditions for the US Government to proceed with the complete lifting of the embargo.
This development will allow us to procure US defence equipment and thus upgrade the operational capabilities of the National Guard.
- Do you think that the taboos of the past are broken one by one regarding the defence cooperation of Cyprus with various countries?
- I do not believe that there are taboos when it comes to Cyprus' defence cooperation. The upgrading, expansion and strengthening of defence partnerships is a process that requires careful and delicate handling. A great deal of groundwork is needed on many levels before we reach an agreement. Firmly, without big words, we are building these partnerships by strengthening Cyprus' position in the international arena.
Through this network of collaborations we create conditions of security and stability for the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus. For this purpose, we have signed bilateral Agreements or Memoranda of Understanding in Defence and Security with regional, European and other countries through which annual defence cooperation programs are established and implemented with joint exercises, co-trainings both in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus and in the territory of the foreign country and through these agreements, cooperation in the field of defence armaments is also implemented. Countries such as in the wider region of the Middle East such as Greece, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the UAE, and recently Saudi Arabia, EU countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Slovakia and other friendly countries such as the United Kingdom, Armenia and Serbia.
Of course, the development of our bilateral relations with the USA is also noteworthy. This cooperation, apart from the political benefit, began to give great benefit to the defence, since from 2021 began the mission of Cypriot officers to America in order to attend military schools in the framework of the implementation of the International Military Education and Training (IMET).
In addition, Cyprus, in cooperation with Greece, has adopted trilateral defence cooperation mechanisms with Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the UAE and Armenia respectively. There is no doubt that these mechanisms make a substantial contribution to the security and stability of the region through joint defence activities.
Of particular importance is the participation of Cyprus in multinational exercises organized by Greece, such as the special operations exercise "ORION" and the air exercise "INIOHOS".
Finally, the decision for a joint naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean region focusing on the EEZ of the CCT, which was taken in the framework of a meeting of the Defence Ministers of Cyprus-Greece-France-Italy in March 2020, had as a direct result the realization of the "EUNOMIA" exercises in 2020 and 2021.
In conclusion, the presence of means and personnel of friendly countries in the region, the interoperability of our Armed Forces with these countries and the frequent joint training with advanced armies, have only a positive impact on the National Guard and on our defence diplomacy.
- What do all these changes mean for the national guard's defensive capability?
- The co-training with members of advanced foreign Armed Forces offer valuable experiences and know-how to our own personnel. This substantially increases the operational capacity of the National Guard. Our defence planning does not only include weapon systems. The first and most important factor is the personnel and we seek their continuous training, so that the National Guard is able to carry out its mission.
Cooperation for stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean
- These defence agreements between the Republic of Cyprus and foreign countries are clearly annoying Turkey. What is your response to the Turkish reactions?
- It is a fact that the Republic of Cyprus, within the framework of the Defence Diplomacy it implements, promotes the development of partnerships and the signing of agreements with states of the region, as well as other important measures for its strategic interests with friendly countries in the vital fields of Defence and Security. The purpose of these co-operations, of course, is to create conditions of stability and security in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean.
It is important to note that these partnerships with other states are based on mutual respect for international law and are in no way directed against anyone.
In contrast to the above settled policy of the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey, in a systematic way through its revisionist policy, is causing destabilization of the entire region of the Eastern Mediterranean by trying to exploit the difficult global circumstances with the war in Ukraine.
Faced with the Turkish rhetoric of provocations and threats, the Republic of Cyprus, as a sovereign state and member state of the European Union, will continue in a systematic way to defend its sovereign rights through diplomacy, based on international law, promoting and further strengthening its defence cooperation with friendly countries and always in full coordination with the Greek Government.
- On the occasion of the exercise with Israel, the Turkish side rushed before its realization to block it. How much do Turkish reactions affect joint exercises with other countries in the region?
- The actions of the Turkish side on the occasion of the exercise "AGAPINOR", I believe that they were expected. They are part of Turkey's general policy and rhetoric, which aims, among other things, to distort reality and create tensions in our region. Turkey is causing destabilization of the region and is attempting to cancel any efforts on our side to resolve the Cyprus problem.
The exercise AGAPINOR, as well as other international exercises, have as their sole purpose the strengthening of the defence capabilities of the National Guard, the strengthening of bilateral and regional co-operations and are not directed against any other country.
The exercise AGAPINOR is part of our bilateral cooperation with Israel and offered valuable experiences to the members of the National Guard in the conduct of operations, including the struggle in inhabited places. Knowledge necessary for any modern army.
The Republic of Cyprus, as a sovereign state, will continue to exercise its sovereign rights and implement its international obligations, strengthening cooperation with states in the region in a wide range of areas, including security and defence aspects.
NATO: When international circumstances favor
- Much is said when it comes to relations with NATO. But also for the Partnership for Peace. Should we expect a step?
- First of all, I would like to point out that, in my estimation, the discussion of the issue arises primarily as a result of the upgrading of the bilateral relationship between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States on defence issues in recent years, as well as the corresponding imposition of sanctions by the West towards Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, sanctions adopted by Cyprus, among others, as a member country of the European Union.
In particular, with regard to the accession of new countries to NATO, it is well known that certain terms and conditions will have to be met, including the agreement of the Member States of the Alliance, including Turkey. We can see how Turkey is reacting to the possibility of Finland and Sweden joining, despite the support these countries are receiving from the other members of the alliance.
Therefore, the issue of a request for Cyprus' accession to the Partnership for Peace or even to NATO should be discussed at the appropriate time and when international circumstances favour such a development.
