US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Celeste Wallander, discussed with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation in the defence sector, on Tuesday morning, in the Presidential Palace. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Defence, Vasilis Palmas.
Wallander told reporters that the meeting was “a great opportunity for me to hear his (the President’s) strategic vision for the Republic of Cyprus and to understand his assessment of our bilateral defense relationship, which is grown in in huge and important ways in the last couple of years under his leadership”.
The US Assistant Secretary added that they talked about opportunities for increasing the state partnership program with the New Jersey National Guard and the Republic of Cyprus National Guard, looking at opportunities for professional military education, exercises, training and capability acquisition in very concrete ways.
“The President shared with me his understanding of the requirements of regional security and stability and the role that the United States together in partnership with the Republic of Cyprus, can play in increasing that security and providing stability for the people of the region, and, of course, for all the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus”, Wallander added.
She noted that she is excited to leave “with additional work that we can do together, and I’m determined so that we will continue to grow the defense relationship between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus”.
