The signing of a defence collaboration agreement with Slovenia will pave the way for a close defence and military cooperation between the two countries, said Minister of Defence Charalambos Petrides on Wednesday, following his meeting in Nicosia with the Minister of Defence of Slovenia Marjan Šarec. Šarec, who is paying an two-day working visit, discussed with Petrides the Russian invasion in Ukraine and issues concerning the EU’s common defence and security policy, while the Cypriot Minister informed his Slovenian counterpart about ongoing Turkish provocations and the hybrid threats Cyprus is facing.
In his press statements following the meeting, Petrides said that the visit by his Slovenian counterpart builds upon the momentum for enhancing relations and collaboration between the two countries, adding that the visit of the President of Slovenia to Cyprus in 2022 reaffirmed their longstanding and traditional friendship bond. Cyprus and Slovenia are like-minded in many ways as they proudly share their joined EU accession in 2004 and their participation in the EU MED9 group, he added.
Ministers had a very constructive and forward-looking exchange on a number of issues of mutual interest, ranging from bilateral defence collaboration and pertinent European and regional security issues, continued Petrides, adding that a key deliverable of this collaboration was the signing of a bilateral agreement on defence collaboration that will pave the way for fostering a close defence and military cooperation between the two countries’ Ministries and armed forces, at a time when European cooperation in the area of defence and security is more evident and necessary for combatting emerging threats and challenges.
“Defence is an important pillar for any country’s national security, especially nowadays in an era of geopolitical turmoil and upheaval following the Russian invasion in Ukraine, there is a strong shift towards investing more in defence. Our two countries are devoted to our shared and common European path of cooperation, security, as well as prosperity”, he stressed on the matter.
He said that he also had the chance to discuss with his Slovenian counterpart various European defence initiatives, especially following the adoption of the Strategic Compass, and ways of harnessing cooperation opportunities through PESCO and EDF projects.
On the Cyprus issue, Petrides reiterated Cyprus’ gratitude for Slovenia’s support based on positions of principle in the EU and other international fora, adding that he had the chance to inform his Slovenian colleague on the current security situation in Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey’s hybrid warfare, notably through the instrumentalization of illegal migration on the island and the region.
He added that over the past two years Turkey has been pursuing a revisionist and a militarised foreign policy, combined with a hostile and an aggressive rhetoric of Turkish officials, which threatens stability and security in Cyprus and the region in general.
“The Republic of Cyprus will continue its extrovert defence policy of building closer bilateral and multilateral partnerships, on the basis of respect of international law and the UN’s convention on the Law of the Sea”, concluded Petrides.
The Slovenian Defence Minister said for his part that he had the chance to discuss with his Cypriot counterpart issues of mutual interest at the bilateral level, as well as geopolitical and regional challenges, and exchange views about the two countries’ respective neighbourhoods.
Cyprus and Slovenia have good relations with no open issues, continued Šarec, adding that with recent developments in the field of defence and security, building strong relationships and cooperation based on shared values, especially between EU countries, is increasingly important.
“I am convinced that with the signing of today’s agreement on defence cooperation we have set the principles and procedures for further strengthening the political and military engagement between our countries”, stressed the Slovenian Minister, adding that this has already been underway in the form of political talks, but can be driven further forward through cooperation in areas such as military exercises and cybersecurity.
In terms of security and defence, Šarec underlined Slovenia’s support for a more ambitious and effective Common Security and Defence Policy, adding that the EU has taken important steps in reinforcing European defence capabilities and fostering a more secure and more resilient EU environment.
Ministers also discussed the current situation in Ukraine, continued Šarec, and reiterated Slovenia’s condemnation of Russian military aggression, as well as its continued support to Ukraine with humanitarian and material aid.
The two sides also exchanged views about the Western Balkans, which, according to the Slovenian Minister, is and will remain a strategic area of interest and a priority operational area for Slovenia, and added that missions and operations are a crucial part of contributing to international security and stabilisation efforts.
He noted that Slovenia is also actively engaged in the Mediterranean, the Sahel region and the Middle East.
“Today’s exceptional exchange of views will open up new avenues for our future cooperation”, concluded the Slovenian defence minister.
Source: Cyprus News Agency