Cyprus, Greece and Israel have interoperable defence systems that contribute significantly to security in the wider region, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Monday, while also addressing reports concerning Egyptian-made grenades and the injury of an ELDYK soldier during a 2024 exercise.
Speaking after a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Defence Ministry and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Palmas also said this year’s 1 October military parade would be upgraded and different from previous years.
Cyprus, Greece and Israel have interoperable systems
Asked whether Cyprus could join the bilateral Greece-Israel agreement concerning the “Achilles Shield”, Palmas stressed that the agreement is between Greece and Israel.
“What I have said is that all three countries, namely Greece, Israel and Cyprus, possess the same defensive weapons system. Therefore, there is interoperability, which is a positive development for the geopolitical security of the wider region,” he said.
Palmas added that the three countries share one characteristic in that none has good relations with Turkey.
He said the reasons for Cyprus’ relations with Turkey were well known, while Greece experiences tensions with Ankara at sea and in the air. At the same time, he said relations between Israel and Turkey were becoming increasingly strained.
Cyprus must maintain deterrence
Palmas said Cyprus remains a peaceful and democratic country that does not involve itself in armed conflicts.
At the same time, he stressed that Cyprus remains a country with part of its territory under occupation and therefore has an obligation to its citizens to maintain the greatest possible level of deterrence.
The minister also pointed to Cyprus’ ability to maintain dialogue with countries in the region that may themselves be in confrontation with each other.
Turkey remains the exception, he said, because of the established circumstances between the two countries.
Palmas added that Cyprus has a role to play in the region and is also the only European Union member state in the Eastern Mediterranean.
‘Upgraded and different’ 1 October parade
Asked whether new weapons systems would appear in the 1 October parade, Palmas stopped short of providing details.
“We will see an upgraded and different parade from previous ones,” he said, encouraging members of the public to attend and adding that they would be satisfied with what they saw.
Palmas responds over Egyptian grenades
Palmas was also asked about a Fileleftheros report concerning Egyptian grenades that were allegedly unsuitable for operational use and the injury of an ELDYK soldier.
The Defence Minister confirmed that the report concerned an accident that occurred in 2024, when a grenade exploded during an ELDYK military exercise.
However, he declined to discuss the substance of the allegations because the matter is now before the courts.
“It is a fact that a report has been published referring to the accident that occurred in 2024, involving the explosion of a grenade during an ELDYK exercise,” he said.
“From the moment this process has taken the path of justice, we must be extremely careful about everything we say concerning this case.”
Legal proceedings under way in Greece
Palmas said legal proceedings concerning the incident are ongoing in Greece, alongside lawsuits filed against the Greek state by those affected by the accident.
He said this prevented him from making any further substantive comment.
“Since there is an ongoing judicial process in Greece concerning this specific incident, as well as the lawsuits filed by those who suffered the accident against the Greek state, I cannot make any further comment,” Palmas said.
He added that commenting further could potentially affect the circumstances surrounding the ongoing judicial proceedings.
Source: CNA
