Today is an important day both for the defence of Cyprus and for the development of our defence cooperation with France.
The acquisition of the H145M fighter helicopters deepens our partnership with France and marks the beginning of a new chapter in our historic and long-standing relationship in the field of defence and security.
Allow me to express my great satisfaction with today's development, which marks a new era for our Air Force.
Despite the unfavourable international economic conditions, based on the direction and personal support of the President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, we are steadily and step by step implementing our defence and armament programme.
Our immediate goal is the qualitative upgrade of the capabilities of the National Guard, with modern means, equipment and capabilities to constitute a reliable deterrent and defensive force.
The ongoing Turkish provocativeness combined with Turkey's revisionist tendency and the ongoing occupation leave us no room for complacency. We must have a strong deterrent capability for the defence and security of our country and our citizens.
With the acquisition of the new Airbus fighter helicopters, we will also be able to strengthen our existing framework of numerous international and regional partnerships, building interoperability with states in the region, participating in exercises and multinational activities, thus contributing positively to the security and stability of the region. I note that this year we have allocated the highest amount in the last 20 years for defence equipment.
The defence sector, and especially arms, should not be an area of confrontation. I would therefore like to thank the House Defence Committee for being a co-sponsor in this effort to modernise our defence with new equipment systems and capabilities.
I would of course like to express my thanks to Airbus and our team, the Director General, the Chief of the National Guard and the Armaments Directorate for bringing the whole process to fruition.
We are immediately starting to work together to implement this equipment programme on the basis of the timetable that has been set.
Our countries share the same views and positions on European defence and security, on the development of the European defence industry and on the security of the Eastern Mediterranean.
We will work to further strengthen, broaden and deepen our defence cooperation with France and other EU Member States at both bilateral and European level following the adoption of the Compass Strategy, and the objective of strengthening European autonomy.
By investing in defence we invest in security and prosperity.
Thank you all for your presence here and I wish you good luck and success in your work.
(BG/SX)
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