The impact of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, initiatives for cooperation in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, as well as transatlantic EU-US cooperation were the main topics of discussion during a meeting between Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides and US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Dr. Celeste Wallander on Wednesday at the US Pentagon.
The consultations took place in a constructive atmosphere, in light of the rapid development of defence cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the US over the past two years, which includes, among other things, the partial lifting of the arms embargo, joint exercises and training, access to the international military training programme, the establishment of the CYCLOPS training centre and the establishment of the security dialogue, a Defence Ministry press release says.
It further notes that “agreements and cooperation programmes are expected to be concluded in the coming months that will further upgrade the political and military cooperation between the two countries, with the first visit of the Defence Minister to the Pentagon being a milestone for further deepening bilateral relations on defence issues.”
Petrides also visited the State Department, where he met with Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis, with whom he discussed, among other things, the full lifting of restrictions on the acquisition of US military equipment, the press release continues.
It says, that the Defence Minister visited the National Security Council, where he met with Director for Europe Amanda Sloat and the Director for the Middle East Stephanie Hallett, with whom he discussed European and regional issues, as well as the role of Cyprus as a factor of stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.
Source: Cyprus News Agency