Panagiotopoulos: Greece, Cyprus and Jordan will increase military cooperation

The strong ties between Greece, Cyprus and Jordan are based on common principles and values, National Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said on Wednesday after the first trilateral meeting of the defence ministers of the three countries held in Cyprus.

The Greek Defence Minister stressed the need for Greece, Cyprus and Jordan to increase cooperation in the military sphere.

"We have a common vision and the goal to create an environment and conditions of stability, security and prosperity in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region," Panagiotopoulos said when speaking of a common goal among the three countries to achieve long-term coherent and effective strategic cooperation, based on international law and the principles of good neighbourliness with all countries in the region.

"It is a special honour and pleasure to be in Nicosia today, together with my distinguished friends and colleagues, of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Charalambos Petridis, and of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Major General Youssef Ahmed Al-Hnaity, for our first trilateral meeting.

"The strong ties between our three countries are based on common principles and values.

"We have a common vision and the goal to create an environment and conditions of stability, security and prosperity in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean.

"It is our common goal to implement a long-term, coherent and effective strategic cooperation, based on international law and the principles of good neighbourliness with all countries in the region.

"Today, we had the opportunity to discuss the latest developments in the region, as well as the progress of our defense cooperation.

"Through our trilateral cooperation we will seek to strengthen the interoperability of our Armed Forces and make full use of the potential and comparative advantages of our countries, in areas of mutual interest, such as through joint training opportunities, but also through joint exercises."

The meeting was the result of ongoing efforts by the leaders of the three countries to further deepen their already excellent relations in specific areas, including defence and security. In addition to the trilateral meeting, separate bilateral meetings will be held between the ministers and the delegations of the three countries.

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