In a first, Cypriot Defence Minister to pay official visit to US

Minister of Defence Charalambos Petrides will depart on Sunday to the US for a working visit. According to the Ministry of Defence, this is the first visit of a Cypriot Defence Minister for bilateral consultations at the US Pentagon.

"This development constitutes a milestone in the upgraded cooperation between Cyprus and the US in the field of defence," the Ministry says.

Petrides will meet with high-ranking officials at the Pentagon, the State Department, and the National Security Council, as well as with representatives of the Diaspora. He will also participate in meetings with think tanks.

During his visit, the Cypriot Minister will meet with US Deputy Secretary of Defence Kathleen Hicks, with whom he will discuss issues of bilateral defence and military cooperation as well as international and regional issues.

Furthermore, Petrides will speak at the "New York Mediterranean Summit" organised by The Economist.

The press release says that the Minister's visit confirms the excellent and constantly enhanced relations between the two countries in matters of defence and security.