UK and Cyprus agree to closer defence and security ties

In a meeting yesterday in London, Cypriot Defence Minister Savvas Angelides and UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson penned an important agreement strengthening the existing deep defence links between the two nations.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Enhancement of Defence and Security Cooperation is designed to help address common defence and security challenges and build on existing partnerships and shared interests in areas such as training, capability development and crisis planning. The MOU will also help generate and support new opportunities for multilateral security training with our regional partners.

The MOU focuses on synergies such as joint defence exercises, expanded sharing of expertise and logistics collaboration, getting Cypriot officers enrolled in British military schools, joint projects on technology and R&D, cyber-defence, cyber-security and more.

UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said ''Cyprus is a valued partner and friend, and through signing this agreement we have reinforced our already close ties across defence for years to come. Our bases in Cyprus are a vital asset in our fight against Daesh with Typhoon and Tornado fighter jets that were instrumental in the territorial defeat of the terrorist group in Syria flying out of RAF Akrotiri''.

The UK and Cyprus have a close relationship and over the last few years have increased military co-operation and undertaken several large-scale joint exercises. [MOD,CNA]