The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is in Cyprus, he confirmed the Minister of Defense Charalambos Petridis, noting at the same time that air defense exercises are taking place in which the Republic of Cyprus also participates.
Mr. Petridis was responding to a journalist's question about an article in the “Simerini” newspaper regarding the matter, on the sidelines of his visit to the Camp of Lieutenant General Stylianos Kalbourtzis, in Delikipos, for the celebration of the Artillery, on the day of the feast of Saint Barbara, the patroness Agias Tou Oplou.
“Within the context of exercises and multilateral cooperation, as you mentioned, the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is in the area and we are proceeding with air defense exercises in which the Republic of Cyprus also participates,” he said .
The French aircraft carrier, he added, “will be in the area for a predetermined period of time and you understand that the partnerships we have developed are varied and involve various countries and our allies”. in this direction we always act within the framework of peace and stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region”.
“We have a very good cooperation both with the Greek Armed Forces and with other countries inside and outside the European Union and in this direction the National Guard implements the bilateral and multilateral collaborations we have signed”, he added.
Mr. Petridis thanked the Defense Committee and the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives and more broadly the Parliament “for the kind cooperation, for the approval of the bills concerning the National Guard” and gave the assurance that “this kind cooperation will continue and in the future”.
