Cyprus, France, Lebanon sign defence pact

Cyprus, France and Lebanon have signed a bilateral cooperation agreement to upgrade their joint military capability in regional defence and security.

Programmes for bilateral cooperation on issues of defence and security were signed between the Cyprus Ministry of Defence and the Military Attaches in Nicosia of France and Lebanon.

A Defence Ministry statement said the programmes cover the conducting of activities in the territory of the Cyprus Republic and in the territory of France and Lebanon, respectively.

“When conditions allow, joint Special Forces Exercises, as well as cooperation between the joint rescue coordination centres of Larnaca and Lebanon and naval exercises with France, are planned within the EEZ of Cyprus,” the statement said.

“The agreement with France is yet stronger proof of the tangible support of France towards the Republic of Cyprus to defend our rights within the EEZ,” it added.

Nicosia said the agreements are also concrete proof of France and Lebanon’s willingness to further enhance and strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence and security with the Republic of Cyprus.

Over recent years, Nicosia has made it a deliberate policy to bolster regional cooperation with its neighbours in the East Med underpinned by its energy search.

France has also improved its military cooperation with Cyprus and voiced its eagerness to serve as a deterrent in the East Med against Turkey’s aggression towards Nicosia’s energy plans.