Cyprus 2021 defence budget up by €70 million

The six pillars of the defence ministry’s strategic aims in defence and security matters were presented before the parliamentary finance committee by defence minister Charalambos Petrides on Monday, in the context of his ministry’s budget for 2021.

The budget provides for total expenditure of €437,679,945 and is by about €70 million or 19% higher than the 2020 budget.
 
Petrides explained that the six pillars are defence cooperation with other states, upgrading relations with the USA, and supporting the effort for an EU common defence policy and strategic autonomy; actions and plans to enhance the operational capacity of the National Guard; implementing innovative and reformative actions; effective use of financial means; improving the legislative and regulative framework of the army; and implementing an environmental and energy policy.