Cyprus’ important role in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the close relations it has with the United States were praised on Friday by Cypriot Minister of Defence, the Commander of the US 6th Fleet, Chief of the National Guard and the US Ambassador to Cyprus.
The four speakers delivered their speeches during a reception that took place at noon aboard the warship USS Mount Whitney, the flagship of the US 6th Fleet, which docked on Thursday at the port of Larnaca for a scheduled visit.
Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said that the presence of the USS Mount Whitney in Cyprus is a clear reflection of the strong and growing partnership between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States.
“Our relations are at an all – time high, built on trust, shared values, and a common vision for security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean” the Minister said.
Our collaboration with the United States, he added, extends beyond words.
“Through joint training and the modernization of our armed forces, we are actively enhancing our operational readiness and strengthening our role as a pillar of stability in the region,” Palmas said.
The Eastern Mediterranean, he went on to say, faces evolving security challenges and Cyprus stands ready to work with its partners to promote stability. “Our firm defence and security ties with the United States benefit not only our two nations but also our allies throughout the region”.
The presence of the USS Mount Whitney, he said, attests to this shared commitment.
“Looking ahead, our countries will continue to build on this momentum, ensuring that our partnership remains strong, our region remains secure and our people continue to benefit from a future of peace and prosperity”
Vice Admiral Anderson, Commander, US 6th Fleet, said that the United States Navy, are thankful for our sustained relationship with Cyprus, the warmth and generosity of the people is readily apparent, as is the strength of the partnership.
“A big thank you to the residents of Larnaca and the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, time after time, the city extends its hospitality to our ships and sailors as they operate safely and effectively in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and our partnership has never been stronger. Our two nations have accomplished a great deal, and our efforts to safeguard the severity and stability of the maritime domain and see our ships operate alongside each other, building enhancing our individual maritime capabilities”.
And in Limassol and in Larnaca, he added, our ships have a place to refuel, resupply and repair before continuing their critical operations in these waters and on land, our Green Team trains alongside the Cypriot Special Operations Forces in the United States.
“Over the years, we’ve continued to deepen our shared concerns for maritime security, counter trafficking, disaster emergency response and non combat evacuation. We both have a vested interest in the security of the Mediterranean” he went o to say.
The economic prosperity of our nations and of this region will rely upon that advantage, and “we value the important role that the Republic of Cyprus plays in promoting regional security,” he noted.
Chief of the National Guard Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas said that it is with a great pleasure that we receive, once again, in the hospitable ports and facilities of the Republic of Cyprus, sailors as all other colleagues on board, from other branches of the United States Armed Forces.
Although being a small country with limited resources, he added, the Republic of Cyprus remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting security efforts that uphold international law, maritime conventions, and regional security norms.
“We have consistently demonstrated our readiness to assist in crises whether through hosting humanitarian operations or participating in European Union maritime operations, such as the ASPIDES mission in the Red Sea or in multinational initiatives, like the East Mediterranean Coordinated Military Initiative (QUAD) since 2020”.
Furthermore, he said that “we are playing a vital role in supporting the evacuation operations and acting as a safe hub in the area. In addition, our role in the implementation of the “Amalthea” plan is also important, where together with the USA, the European Union and other partners we provide humanitarian aid to those in need”.
He noted that in this spirit of collaboration, Cyprus remains committed to strengthening its defense partnerships with like-minded allies. “Therefore, in the field of defense cooperation, our ties with the United States have grown significantly. The recent signing of the Roadmap for Bilateral Defense Cooperation for 2024-2029, along with initiatives such as the “AMALTHEA” humanitarian operation, reflect our deepening partnership”.
Moreover, he said that Cyprus and the US have set several key objectives to further advance collaboration, such as the continuation and strengthening of joint military exercises and training program (IMET), the upgrading of the cooperation between the Cyprus National Guard and the New Jersey National Guard (SPP) and the enhancement of our collaboration in military training. Additionally, the opportunities provided for Cypriot cadets to train at U.S. institutions further solidify our defense ties.
Your presence here reaffirms the strong and enduring relations between our nations and armed forces, he said, adding “it underscores that working together is the best way to confront today’s shared challenges and threats”.
US Ambassador in Nicosia Julie S. Davis said that “my own embassy’s response to assist the departure of America after horrific attacks against Israel on October 7 of 2023, our increased naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean and our enhanced cooperation with the National Guard of Cyprus both accelerated due to those increasing threats against American citizens and American interests emanating from Hamas, from Hezbollah, from the Houthis and from Iran”.
She noted that President Christodoulides and his team have put Cyprus forward time and again “to make it a place of stability we can count on when needed.”
“Cyprus made its ports and its facilities available through the Amalthea plan to move 1000s of tons of humanitarian aid in the area. In that context, Cyprus and task force 406 again, worked together to provide security for the United States maritime assets delivering life saving assistance,” Davies said.
Referring to the bilateral defence relationship, she said that this past year also saw new steps in implementing the state partnership program between the National Guard Cyprus and the state of New Jersey, enabling cooperation on skills ranging from medical care to ordinance handling and cyber resilience.
And while this program is still new, she went on to say, the US European command has continued to invest in cybers and actively supports bilateral and multinational multi level exercises, including Argonaut exercises to prepare for non combat evacuations.
“And each time, Cyprus hosts this exercise, bringing together military and diplomatic representatives the National Guard and all those involved in protecting our citizens, we improve our ability to cooperate and respond,” she added.
The US Ambassador noted that in September of last year, our respective defense leadership teams, American Cyprus developed a roadmap projecting opportunities for our defense and security cooperation over the next five years.
“And it is through this dialogue that we projected out how we can build on our existing partnership in disaster response and how our armed forces can more seamlessly work together” she said.
In January, the Ambassador noted, we announced the Republic of Cyprus’s eligibility to participate in the foreign military sales program and multinational training exercises, which will enhance interoperability with American forces.
“So Cyprus’ efforts have enabled us to be prepared to support the safety and well being of all of our cities, the American Embassy, the combatant commands, the Cyprus National Guard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the elements of the private sector have all pulled together again and again in moments of need in this region. And this is a relationship that has been built on shared values over successive administration and continues to gain momentum,” Julie Davies said.
The strength of this partnership enables our cooperation across the broad range of regional and global the strong ties we have in Cyprus are central to the safety and security and the prosperity of our nations and that of the region, she concluded.