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Petrides: Cyprus-France agreement aims to secure peace and stability

07/08/2020 09:38

The agreement between Cyprus and France aims to secure peace and stability, Minister of Defence Charalambos Petrides has stressed.

In a written statement issued on Thursday, the Minister of Defence underlines that the agreement with France, which enters into force immediately after its ratification by the Parliaments of the two countries, aims to ensure peace and stability, as well as cooperation to address modern challenges.

He adds that the existing intergovernmental agreements and common interests within the framework of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy are taken into account in all aspects and the support to the goals principles of the United Nations Charter is reaffirmed.

Among others, the agreement provides for co-operation in the fields of armaments and defence technology as well as staff training in France`s military schools.

It was also agreed to carry out joint exercises and organize mutual visits in the framework of activities of the Armed Forces of the two countries, the Minister adds.

The agreement also provides for training and exchange of experiences and know-how in matters of military justice, international law, energy security, maritime security, crisis management in relation to threats such as hostilities, terrorism, piracy and natural or industrial disasters.

The Minister notes that for the implementation of this agreement, the two countries ratify two-year defence cooperation programs with specific activities. He adds that  cooperation between the two countries in the fields of defence and security were recently discussed in Paris during the meeting of the Presidents of France and Cyprus and the tete - a - tete meeting that the Minister of Defence held with his French counterpart.

The agreement falls within Cyprus` strategy to strengthen alliances and enhance the country`s relations with neighboring and other friendly countries, thus contributing to the strengthening of stability and peace in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, the Minister`s written statement concludes.