The Russian invasion of Ukraine has a serious impact on the National Guard since several of our arms programs are based on the Russian market, Defense Minister Haralambos Petrides said on Wednesday, noting that alternatives and all possibilities are being considered.
At the same time, Petridis said that in no way have our existing arms programs that are ongoing been affected, noting, however, that due to the crisis and uncertainty in the economy this is likely to happen with all member states, if the economic capabilities of member states can change.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion on the topic: Defence in the context of international law. The Case of Cyprus, organised by the DISY Defence Policy Production Group, Mr. Petrides also said that it seems clear that the EU is moving towards defence and military autonomy, without in any way implying that we are discussing any Euroarmy.
In his intervention, the Defence Minister said that even before the invasion of Ukraine, the EU was slowly but steadily moving towards defence and military autonomy, noting that with the French Presidency, after almost two years of dialogue, we managed to conclude the issue with the Strategic Compass in cooperation with the Foreign Ministries.
This is a step in a positive direction. It was also clear from the analysis of the texts that there were several issues where Turkey was clearly listed as a threat. Of course, in the text of the conclusions this reference was made in a special way, which on the one hand assured our side as well as the Greek Government, but on the other hand it certainly gave a way out that there will be cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean region, the Defence Minister noted.
Petridis also said that the rapid intervention force can be implemented depending on developments, because the Ukrainian issue has intervened and the prioritization has certainly changed, either for the better or for the time being by freezing the issue.
But it is clear in which direction each country is heading, he said, noting that the EU is moving in the direction of its defence and military autonomy in conjunction and cooperation with NATO.
It is not possible for the EU to move autonomously, he added, noting that 21 of its 27 countries are members of NATO.
We believe that cooperation is inevitable but some countries, including Cyprus, always say clearly at all conferences that we are in favour of the EU's strategic autonomy so that there is no clear overlapping, Petrides said.
He noted that there is cooperation where and when it is necessary. We belong to this family, so the path is clear, he stressed.
He said we have implemented and are implementing all sanctions from day one. We also implemented the closure of the ports before the EU, before the directive came, from the first day, so we were fully in line with the EU decisions.
He pointed out that the war in Ukraine has a serious impact on the National Guard since several of our arms programs are based on the Russian market, so from the first week we have given instructions to see the alternatives if and when they exist, with what process and at what cost because it is also a matter of maintenance costs.
We are looking at all possibilities but at the same time our existing arms programmes which are ongoing have in no way been affected, he stressed.
But of course, he added, and because of the crisis and the uncertainty in the economy this is likely to happen with all member states if the economic capabilities of the member states can change.
We can clearly see that both because of the rapid increase not only in energy prices but also in the supply chain Mr.and so on there is this chain negative impact that we do not know and if there is still a ceasefire probably the sanctions will be there for quite some time, he said.
So, he continued, there is this uncertainty and that is why we are obliged to look at all possible solutions and depending on the developments to act.
Source: CNA
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
