Defence Minister Michalis Giorgallas said on Thursday that the Ministry’s goal is to further enhance the country’s defence so that the Cypriot people can have a strong defence and security for whenever necessary. Addressing the parliamentary committee on defence Giorgallas also said that the policy of upgrading military equipment will continue. Referring to the signing of a defence agreement for the state partnership program with the New Jersey National Guard on March 30, at the Presidential Palace, he noted that that the goal is for Cypriot National Guard to gain “know-how and expertise from the US army.” “This agreement will be implemented on various levels and with various objects in the coming years,” the Minister said, adding that the National Guard is proud because this cooperation will offer much to the capabilities it has today. Giorgallas also told MPs that the National Guard implements this type of bilateral cooperation agreements with 13 countries while “others will follow”. Among other things, he said that on Friday he is to have his first meeting with Minister of National Defence of Greece Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, in Athens, adding that there is an open agenda of matters to discuss in order to further enhance the cooperation between Athens and Nicosia.
Source: Cyprus News Agency