From Monday 13 June to Wednesday 15 June 2022, the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Demokritos Zervakis, accompanied by a delegation of officers of the General Staff of the National Guard, made a visit to France at the invitation of his counterpart of the Chief of the General Staff of the National Defence Staff of France, General Thierry Burkhard, on the occasion of the international exhibition "EUROSATORY 2022".
During the visit, the constantly developing multifaceted relations between the Armed Forces (AF) of the two countries were reaffirmed, which are based on values and principles stemming from the participation of the two countries in the European family, but also more broadly from international law. At the same time, regional developments in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region and the corresponding international developments in relation to the crisis in Ukraine were discussed. Views were also exchanged on other issues of common interest, while the intention to further upgrade and expand cooperation between the two countries' NIS in other areas of common interest at bilateral and multilateral level was recorded.
In particular, according to the programme of the visit, on Monday 13 June the Chief laid a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe, paying tribute to the dead of the French nation. In the evening of the same day, he attended the official reception hosted by the French Minister of Defence Sebastien Lecornu in honour of the official guests at "EUROSATORY 2022".
On Tuesday 14 June, the Chief of the National Guard held a private meeting with General Burkhard, during which the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean were discussed, noting common concerns regarding security and stability issues in the wider region. Developments regarding the situation in Eastern Europe were also discussed. At the same time, they discussed the implementation of the Bilateral Military Cooperation Programme 2022-23, which was signed on 9 June 2022 and which is part of the wider network of international cooperation that the AF has developed with the militaries of friendly and allied countries (see here). They also explored the possibility of further strengthening the historic and dynamic military cooperation between Cyprus and France in other areas of common interest. Views were also exchanged on the development of multilateral cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean region, where the dynamics and potential for further development of the Quadrilateral Initiative (QUAD Initiative) between Cyprus, France, Greece and Italy was confirmed. In addition, it was noted the common desire to exploit every possible opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the Cyprus and French Air Forces, both in the framework of the EU's Common Defence and Security Policy actions and at bilateral level, and in particular to further exploit the regular presence of French Air Forces in the Eastern Mediterranean, in order to conduct mutually beneficial exercises and co-training with the National Guard.
The Chief of the National Guard also visited the General Staff of the French National Defence Staff, where he was briefed on the vision, challenges, and operations of the French National Defence Forces. He also visited the Institut des Hautes Etudes de Défense Nationale (IHEDN), where he was briefed by its Director, Lieutenant General Benoit Durieux, on the activities of the Institute, and discussed and explored the prospects for cooperation with the National Guard in its training programmes, both in a bilateral and European context.
Finally, Lieutenant General Zervakis visited the exhibition area of "EUROSATORY 2022", where he was informed about the latest developments and future trends in the field of development of weapon systems and capabilities, both from the European defence industry and more broadly. In particular, as regards the Cypriot and Greek companies participating in the exhibition, the Chief visited their stands and was informed about the innovative technologies and applications they offer in the field of defence.
During its presence in the French capital, the Cypriot Delegation visited the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of France, where it met with Metropolitan Demetrios and the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Paris, where the Chief had a meeting with Ambassador George Siakalli. During the meeting there was a discussion and exchange of views on issues concerning mainly the relations between Cyprus and France as well as on the development of the bilateral military cooperation programme.
(NΓ/ΣΧ)
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