12.06.2023.

Minister Vučević meets with Minister of Defence of Cyprus Giorgallas

As part of his official visit to the Republic of Cyprus, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Miloš Vučević met today with the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, Michalis Giorgallas.

After the welcoming ceremony was performed by the guard of honour of the Cypriot National Guard and the national anthems were played, ministers Vučević and Giorgallas had a tête-à-tête, followed by a meeting between the delegations they led. Chief of the Cypriot National Guard, Lieutenant General Dimokritos Zervakis also attended the welcoming ceremony and the meetings.

In his address after the meeting, Minister Vučević expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus for his hospitality and constructive talks.

- The Republic of Serbia highly appreciates the principled position of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the non-recognition of unlawful and self-proclaimed independence of our southern province, Kosovo and Metohija. Apart from closeness and friendship between our two peoples, our two countries share the same position on the necessity of consistent respect for the principles of international law. During today’s talks, we had an opportunity to exchange views of current security issues in Europe and the world, with particular reference to our province, Kosovo and Metohija, Cyprus and the Middle East –Minister Vučević pointed out, adding that they had touched upon the implications of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine for the security situation in this part of the world.

The Minister of Defence of Serbia said that the achieved level of defence cooperation between Serbia and Cyprus was high, but that there was room for its further enhancement in the fields of military-to-military and military-economic cooperation.

- The continuity of our intensive contacts made in the previous period at the level of the ministries of defence creates a strong basis for the achievement of our intentions. The Republic of Serbia will continue advocating for a peaceful and all-encompassing resolution of the Cyprus issue in accordance with the United Nations Charter, and members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces will continue their engagement within UN multinational operation (UNFICYP) with dedication and professionalism – said Minister Vučević and invited the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus to visit our country.

Minister Giorgallas warmly welcomed Minister Vučević and emphasized the long standing and strong bonds of friendship, cooperation and people to people ties between the two countries.

- I am sure that our discussions and consultations will deepen and foster closer defence and military cooperation in the near future. We had a very fruitful exchange of views on a number of issues of mutual interest, ranging from our bilateral cooperation to pertinent regional security issues, including the security situation in Cyprus and in the Western Balkans respectively – said Minister of Defence Giorgallas.

The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus said he was satisfied with the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of defence and security.

- Our two countries maintain a decade’s long cooperation in the field of armaments. The Serbian Defence Industry provides valuable support to our armed forces. This cooperation is based on mutual trust and builds on to our overall bilateral relations. Tomorrow, we will have the chance to visit our latest acquisition from Serbia, the NORA artillery system – said the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus.

Minister Giorgallas said that the meeting had also discussed the issues of mutual interest for the two countries.

- I had the chance to be briefed by Minister Vučević on the latest developments in the north of Kosovo. We are following the latest developments in Kosovo and Metohija with close attention. Recent clashes between the police and ethnic Serbs in the area, caused by Priština’s attempts to forcibly access municipal buildings are a source of great concern. We call for de-escalation and continued constructive engagement in the EU facilitated dialogue. Let me underscore that Cyprus maintains its principled position on the non-recognition of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo. The principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are inalienable and unquestionable.

During today’s meeting, the two ministers exchanged their views on the current political and security situation in the world and expressed hope that the enhancement of cooperation between our two countries would yield more concrete results in the period to come.