Defence Minister Charalampos Petrides paid Jordan a working visit Thursday during which he reviewed the Cyprus-Jordan bilateral defence cooperation and ways of strengthening and deepening it, a press release by the Ministry says.
According to the Ministry, some important bilateral collaborations took place in 2022 which include, among others, the participation of the National Guard in large multinational exercises and training of special forces in Jordan and Cyprus.
The Minister’s visit is part of the regular bilateral consultations on defence and security issues with states in the region, the press release reads, highlighting Cyprus’ regional cooperation role.
Petrides was received by the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah, to whom he conveyed the warm greetings of the President of the Republic of Cyprus.
He also met with the Chief of the Jordanian Armed Forces, General Youssef Al Hunaity. The Minister of Defence and the Chief of the Armed Forces signed a bilateral agreement that regulates the status of forces (Status of Forces Agreement – SOFA) in matters of mutual support. This agreement forms the basis for the further development and development of bilateral defence cooperation.
Through this agreement, future joint trainings and the participation of military forces in exercises are facilitated.
Petrides also visited the Royal Museum of Armored Tanks where in a special ceremony a CASCAVEL type armored vehicle was granted by the Republic of Cyprus for the Museum’s collection, on the occasion of this year’s sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Source: Cyprus News Agency