Today is truly an important day both for the defence of Cyprus and for the development of our defence cooperation with France, Minister of Defence Charalambos Petrides, said on Friday after the signature of a contract for acquiring new attack helicopters for the National Guard.
The Minister said that the acquisition of H-145M attack helicopters deepens our defence partnership with France and opens a new chapter in our well established and long – standing relationship in the fields of defence and security.
“Let me express my deepest satisfaction for this watershed development that marks a new era for our Air Force,” he continued.
The Minister noted that despite the challenging international economic conditions, and based on the direction and personal support of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, we are steadfastly implementing our defence and armaments program, step by step.
“Our unwavering goal is to upgrade and modernize the quality and capabilities of the National Guard, with advanced resources and up to date equipment, in order to be a reliable and robust defensive and deterrent force,” he noted, adding that “the defence and national security of our homeland is non – negotiable.”
“The ongoing Turkish military threat from the occupied part of Cyprus, combined with the increasing revisionist policies of Turkey do not allow for any complacency. We must maintain robust defence capabilities for the defence and security of our country and citizens,” he underlined.
Petrides noted that with the acquisition of the new Airbus attack helicopters, we will also be able to strengthen the existing framework of our numerous international and regional partnerships, by increasing interoperability with regional states and participating in exercises and multinational initiatives, thus positively contributing to the security and stability in the region.
“I would like to note that this year alone we have the highest index over the last 20 years, as concerns defence spending on national armament programs. We are also investing more in defence related research, innovation and technology and I am hopeful that this area could be further harnessed between Cyprus and France,” he pointed out.
Referring to Cyprus and France, he said that the two states have forged a strong defence partnership that extends to bilateral, European and regional cooperation and conveyed his appreciation for France’s strong interest for the security of the Eastern Mediterranean region especially through the regular naval presence of the French Navy.
“Our countries maintain common views as concerns European defence and security, the development of the European defense industry and the security of the Eastern Mediterranean. We will work together to further strengthen, expand and deepen our defence cooperation with France and other EU Member States, both on a bilateral and European level, following the adoption of the Strategic Compass and the goal to strengthen European autonomy,” Petrides pointed out.
Concluding his speech, he said “investing in Defence means that we invest in our security, well-being and prosperity”.
Ambassador of France in Cyprus Salina Grenet-Catalano expressed the conviction that this agreement will strengthen security and regional stability and will further strengthen European defence and bilateral corporate defence cooperation.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by Permanent Secretary Andreas Loukas and on behalf of Airbus Helicopters by Executive Vice President Olivier Michalon.
Source: Cyprus News Agency