There is interoperability between the defense systems of Cyprus, Israel, and Greece, which contributes significantly to the security of the wider region, Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Monday morning. He also noted that the October 1 parade will be upgraded and different from previous ones, inviting the public to attend.
In response to a question following the conclusion of the signing ceremony for a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEBE), which took place on Monday morning, as to whether Cyprus could join the bilateral Greece-Israel agreement on “Achilles’ Shield,” Mr. Palmas replied that “This agreement is a bilateral agreement between Greece and Israel. What I have mentioned is that, in fact, all three of these countries—namely, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus—possess the same defense weapon system. Consequently, there is interoperability, which is a positive development for the geopolitical security of the broader region.”
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At the same time, he noted that “these three countries have one thing in common: they do not have good relations with Turkey. It is well known why Cyprus does not have good relations with Turkey. In Greece, we live with and experience on a daily basis everything that is happening, whether at sea or in the air, and at the same time, it is a given and documented daily that Israel and Turkey are pushing the envelope.”
“We are a democratic, peaceful country that has never been involved in any incident related to armed conflicts. On the other hand, however, we are a country under partial occupation, and we have a duty and an obligation to our citizens to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, the deterrent posture that must exist on the island,” he added.
At the same time, Mr. Palmas pointed out that “while some countries in the region are at odds with one another, Cyprus has the ability to engage in dialogue with all of these countries, with the exception of Turkey, where the circumstances are well known.”
“Therefore, we have a role to play, and at the same time, we are the only state in the Eastern Mediterranean region that is a member of the European Union,” the Minister added.
When asked, moreover, whether new weapons systems would be featured in the October 1 parade, Mr. Palmas replied, “We will see a parade that is upgraded and different from previous ones; everyone should come out in full force, because they will be pleased.”
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on a report in the newspaper “Fileleftheros” regarding Egyptian grenades that were allegedly unsuitable for operational use, as well as the injury of an ELDYK soldier, the Minister replied that “It is true that a report has come to light referring to the accident that occurred in 2024, involving the explosion of a hand grenade during an ELDYK exercise. Since this matter is now before the courts, we must be extremely careful about everything we say regarding this case.”
“Therefore, since there is an ongoing legal proceeding in Greece concerning this specific incident as well as the lawsuits filed by those who were injured in the accident against the Greek state, I cannot make any further comment, as it might create new circumstances and conditions surrounding these legal proceedings,” he added.
Source: KYPE
