In recent years the Republic of Cyprus has significantly upgraded its defence capabilities, Defence Minister Haralambos Petrides said. Speaking after a meeting of the Parliament's Defence Committee, he also referred to a series of measures passed by the Cabinet to strengthen the institution of SYOs.
For his part, the Chairman of the Committee and President of the EPP, Marinos Sizopoulos, said that in today's session, apart from the discussion on the Defense Ministry's budgets for 2023, there were other important issues, to which convincing and important answers were given, concerning both contract officers and especially contract soldiers.
The session was held in the presence of the Chief of the National Guard.
In his statements after the end of the session, Defence Minister Charalambos Petridis thanked the committee for the united and constructive cooperation over the past 2.5 years, stressing that in difficult times the solidarity of the political forces strengthens the morale of the Armed Forces, which unhindered carry out their mission.
In his statements after the end of the session, Defence Minister Charalambos Petridis thanked the committee for the united and constructive cooperation over the past 2.5 years, underlining that in difficult times the solidarity of the political forces strengthens the morale of the Armed Forces that unhindered implement their mission.
In recent years, the Republic of Cyprus has significantly upgraded its defence capabilities. Petrides, both in terms of material equipment and human resources, but also in terms of alliances, adding that Cyprus is in a constant engagement with international bilateral and multilateral exercises and partnerships that have brought experience and interoperability with its allies, "with the Ministry's policy being firmly focused on consolidating objectives and relations with the Hellenic Republic and other regional alliances."
He added that a number of measures have been passed by the Council of Ministers, including the lifting of the 10-year restrictions for SYOPs, which means that from now on they can remain up to the age limit of 42 years, while a package of measures is being prepared to strengthen the institution, that is, to allow them to join after 42 years, a study that will include possible future earnings and the specialization of their training.
"I believe that we have touched on various long-standing issues, both of SYOPs, SYPs and other categories, we have modernized legislation, we have set goals beyond the arms program but also international relations and the pillar of defense relations, we have also implemented electronic platforms for the benefit of citizens, as well as energy upgrading and efficiency since we have also received European funds for the conclusion of green growth," he said.
"We have progressed in several areas and we are now moving from the issue of concluding agreements to implementation, from theory to practice, and it is very important to rationally implement all the programmes and contracts that we have set," the Defence Minister concluded.
The President of the Committee and President of the EPP, Marinos Sizopoulos, also praised from his side the chaste and very constructive cooperation with both the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the National Guard and its officers.
He also noted that there was excellent cooperation between all members of the committee regardless of party origin, as the main objective was to serve and serve the objectives set for the defence of the country and the upgrading of the National Guard's strength, both in terms of weapon systems and human resources, something necessary and essential at a time when Cyprus is facing asymmetrical threats from the expansionist Turkey.
Sizopoulos added that in today's session, apart from the discussion on the Ministry of Defence's budgets for 2023, there were other important issues, to which convincing and important answers were given, concerning both the contract officers and especially the contract soldiers.
He then said that with the bill submitted by the Government and accepted by the majority, perhaps even the whole of the members of the Defence Committee, a professional and not only perspective is given to the contracted soldiers so that they can be utilized to the maximum extent possible at the level of human resources, but mainly at the level of experience which they can then acquire for their service in specialized issues concerning the defence of the country.
"We hope and hope that this constructive cooperation of the Defence Committee with the Ministry and the General Staff will continue in the next parliamentary term," he concluded.
Source: CNA
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