ATHENS – [ANA-MPA]
“Greece is here and will remain here throughout the crisis to assist in every possible way in the defense of the Republic of Cyprus, in order to protect all lawful residents of the island and to prevent any threats or illegal actions,” stated National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias on Tuesday, following his meeting in Nicosia with his Cypriot counterpart Vassilis Palmas.
Dendias expressed his gratitude to both his counterpart and the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, for the “warm welcome at a critical moment for our wider region.”
“For Greece, for Greek society, for our nation, Cyprus is not far away,” he reiterated, adding: “The Greek government is proving today that Cyprus is near.”
He clarified that “Cyprus is not participating in military operations against Iran. Consequently, we emphasize that no country that is not involved in hostilities should be targeted in any way.”
“By decision of the Government Council on National Security (KYSEA), two pairs of F-16 fighter jets are already in Cyprus, and two Hellenic Navy frigates are en route: the frigate ‘Psara’, equipped with the ‘Centaur’ anti-drone defense system – developed by the Greek innovation ecosystem and successfully tested in the Aspides operation in the Red Sea – and the frigate ‘Kimon’, the most advanced frigate on the planet,” Dendias said.
“The Greek government’s choice is clear, both as a national and European responsibility. Today, we agreed to continue – together with President Nikos Christodoulides and Minister Vassilis Palmas – our regular consultations with full coordination and a shared sense of responsibility toward the citizens of both Greece and Cyprus,” he added.
On his part, the Cypriot defense minister emphasized: “Regarding national matters, Greece is unquestionably the most important partner and the strongest support of the Republic of Cyprus in all areas. Recognizing this reality, we have developed extremely close coordination with the Greek Ministry of National Defense and have daily consultations.”
He thanked Dendias for his presence in Cyprus, which “confirms the excellent cooperation between Greece and Cyprus within the framework of our bilateral relationship,” and expressed gratitude to the Greek government for sending two frigates and four F-16 fighter jets “to strengthen the defense of our homeland against the current challenges and threats.”
Regarding recent events, he briefed Dendias on the security situation in Cyprus, including Monday’s drone attack on the British bases at Akrotiri, noting the timely detection and interception of drones moving toward the bases.
He reiterated that “the Republic of Cyprus has not participated, does not participate, and will not be part of any military operation. As the Republic of Cyprus, our position on defense and security is consistently grounded in full respect and compliance with International Law, investment in strategic alliances, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.”
“We remain committed to the humanitarian role Cyprus plays, while responsibly prioritizing the safety of our country and citizens, and promoting peace, cooperation, and stability in the region, demonstrating our role as a reliable partner to the international community,” Palmas concluded.
