Cypriot Defense Minister Charalambos Petrides revealed his country’s intention to conclude imminent bilateral agreements with Saudi Arabia on defense, military and security cooperation.
He stressed the need to enhance the maritime security of waterways in the eastern Mediterranean, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, to promote world stability and peace.
Petrides described the World Defense Show in Riyadh as a vital global event, stressing that technological progress and breakthroughs were of critical importance to national security.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat on Sunday, the minister said: “Our bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia are at an all-time high… and we will continue to enhance our very promising bilateral prospects in the defense and military fields, in addition to coordinating closely on the regional and common challenges…”
On the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean crisis, Petrides noted that his country was located in this particular region, at the crossroads of three major continents, civilizations and religions.
“This region has been at the center of conflicts and geostrategic developments, due to its strategic location. The current instability in Syria and Libya, recent events in Afghanistan, the political and economic situation in Lebanon, irregular migration flows, terrorism, extremism, and the volatile situation in the Middle East represent major global security challenges,” he said.
In addition, the Cypriot defense minister pointed to the discovery of huge quantities of natural gas and oil in the eastern Mediterranean, which he said increased the geopolitical importance of the area.
“For all these reasons, and through our foreign and defense policy, we aim to strengthen international and regional political-military cooperation and act as a force for security and stability in the region,” he underlined.
Petrides emphasized in this regard Cyprus’ determination to promote bilateral defense and military cooperation with EU member states, NATO countries and regional partners, build close military relationships, establish personnel contacts and enhance integration through large-scale joint exercises.
“Our defense infrastructures, such as air and naval bases, are at the disposal of partner and friendly countries with which we cooperate, to ensure Cyprus’ regional role as a center for multinational defense cooperation,” he stated.
Asked about piracy and hijacking of vessels in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Gulf, and their threat to maritime security, the minister voiced his country’s call for the need to respect international law and the rules-based international order, especially freedom of navigation and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He pointed in this regard to several illegal measures by Turkey in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone with unfounded allegations.
“To this end, we have always called for the need that all countries fully respect the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to avoid actions that threaten regional stability and maritime security,” the minister remarked.
He continued: “Since Cyprus is also an important maritime country and has a great record of ships, we pay special attention to maritime security issues, such as the threat of piracy… In this context, we have supported the EU naval operation, ATALANTA, to combat piracy activities off the Gulf of Aden, and we will always advocate respect for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and Freedom of Navigation by all countries.”
With regards to the relations between Saudi Arabia and Cyprus, the defense minister noted that since 2015, bilateral ties developed into concrete and effective cooperation in all fields of common interest.
He explained: “The establishment and operation of the Cypriot embassy in Riyadh in 2015, and the opening of the Saudi embassy in Nicosia in 2018, marked the beginning of a new era in our diplomatic relations, and a promising start for further cooperation between the two countries.”
He pointed to the first visit of Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades to Riyadh in 2018, which he said was the start of “vital and rapidly developing bilateral relations, in a range of political, commercial, security and cultural aspects.”
Petrides said that the two countries have signed several agreements that give more impetus to expand economic, trade, financial, and investment relations.
In this regard, he referred to the visit of the Chairman of the General Staff of the Saudi Armed Forces and the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs to Cyprus, stressing that bilateral relations “are at an all-time high, to take our cooperation in all major areas to the next level.”
Commenting on the World Defense Show, which is currently taking place in Riyadh, Petrides said: “The International Defense Exhibition, which is held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, is an important global event… In an era of unprecedented global security challenges, an exhibition of this size features the latest information and developments in the defense industries, technological progress and breakthroughs, which are crucial to the two countries’ national security.”
Revealing an imminent Saudi-Cypriot agreement on defense and security, the minister emphasized his country’s readiness to establish structured cooperation, including training, drills, and exchange of personnel.
“We are also ready to welcome the Royal Saudi Air Force and Navy, whether on short-term visits or during exercises in the eastern Mediterranean,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Petrides described Saudi Arabia as an important partner for regional security, stability, and the fight against terrorism. Both Cyprus and the Kingdom are part of the international coalition to defeat ISIS, he said, noting that the two countries have common goals to enhance regional cooperation and counter terrorist threats.
