Announcements on cooperation with the US in the fields of security and defence are expected, possibly before the end of the year, Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Thursday, noting that “a strong National Guard” was directly linked with the broader goals of the Republic of Cyprus.

In his statements to journalists after attending the International Defence and Security Conference “BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2024” held in Nicosia, and, asked to comment on reports on the strengthening of the defence cooperation between Cyprus and the US through a new amendment to the US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), President Christodoulides, noted that he has said many times about strengthening relations in the field of defence and security with the US but also with European states, and with Britain. He added that this was one of the issues that he discussed with the British Prime Minister who was in Nicosia on Tuesday and one of the issues that are on the agenda of the Strategic Dialogue with the UK, to be held next week.

He added that as far as the USA is concerned, “expect more announcements in the field of defence and security, possibly before the end of the year.”

“We are doing everything possible to strengthen the Republic of Cyprus’ deterrence, we have an obligation to do so as long as there is the occupation”, he said, noting however, that it was not only because of the Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus.

He added that the Republic of Cyprus is an EU member state and located in an area “of particular geostrategic importance”, noting that “a strong National Guard is directly intertwined with the broader goals of the Republic of Cyprus”. He gave reassurances that the Government would continue to invest in this area, “with concrete actions.”

Asked whether the strengthening of cooperation with the US also included the upgrading of Cyprus’ “Evangelos Florakis” naval base and “Andreas Papandreou” air base, the President of the Republic noted that he had said in the past that regarding the Mari Naval Base, he had discussed the issue with the President of the European Commission and that it was something that interests the EU, and that it is one of the issues that are to be discussed in his meeting with the Commission President next Friday, in Brussels.

Regarding the Andreas Papandreou Air Base, he said that the Ministry of Defence he already submitted the cost estimate for expanding the air base, “and we are in contact with the American Government regarding the Andreas Papandreou Air Base.”

“Both projects will proceed”, President Christodoulides said.