The challenges for Malta - Cyprus are common, say the YPAM

Mr Farrugia paid the first official visit of the Maltese Minister of Defense to Nicosia and had a private meeting with his counterpart in the morning, which was followed by extensive consultations between the delegations of the two Ministries of Defense.

In statements, Mr. Fokaidis said that the presence of the Maltese Minister demonstrates the will of the two countries to open new avenues of cooperation and to transform, in mutually beneficial policies, the close and traditional bonds of friendship that unite the two countries.
He said that these ties have been built on the basis of common principles and values ​​and are strengthened by our participation in the great European family.
"At the same time, Cyprus and Malta, as two Mediterranean countries facing common challenges and threats, are working together to advance our common interests, our main goal is to promote security, stability and peace. We want to make the Mediterranean a zone of cooperation. "Development and prosperity and we are working together on various EU programs," said Mr. Fokaidis.
According to YPAM, they discussed with their Maltese counterpart in particular the prospect of cooperation between the Mediterranean member states of the EU in the framework of the 'Med 7' initiative that are currently meeting in Rome at the level of heads of state.
"To formulate a framework for cooperation at the level of Ministers of Defense, with meetings at the ministerial level in the near future, with the common goal of tackling challenges such as immigration, arms trafficking, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, maritime and energy security. ", Said the Minister.
He also referred to the initiatives of Cyprus in the regional context of the Eastern Mediterranean with the various friendly neighboring countries, with tripartite and bilateral cooperation that form a network of common interests, common policies and common mechanisms that promote stability, security and development in our troubled turmoil. in view of the significant energy prospects for the eastern Mediterranean. These prospects, he added, are of strategic importance for Europe 's energy future.
He pointed out that through dialogue a framework of cooperation is being formed that will allow us to bridge interests and join forces with all countries on both shores of the Mediterranean.
"We are working together in this direction in the EU, through the promotion of an integrated, comprehensive approach, in the context of the common security and defense policy, which takes into account the need to combine measures and policies that promote security on the one hand, and development in the region on the other." of the EU, "he said.
According to Mr. Fokaidis, decisions were taken that set the framework for enhanced cooperation in areas such as maritime cooperation, Mediterranean surveillance, search and rescue, counter-terrorism, education and humanitarian operations.
Mr. Fokaidis briefed his counterpart on the Cyprus issue and reiterated our commitment to continue working within the UN to find a solution to end the greatest historical and political anachronism that continues to take place in Europe with an illegally occupied country. EU membership and an end to violent division.
"A solution that reunites Cyprus, fully securing the rights of all Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot citizens, within the framework defined and guaranteed by the European Union, away from guardians and anachronistic guarantee systems," the minister said.

The Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its own statements spoke about his country's excellent relationship with Cyprus in many forums and on many issues, adding that the two countries have a rich history and look forward to even greater cooperation in the future.
He said the talks focused on the situation in the Mediterranean, mainly on the challenges posed by the instability in many parts of the region.
"In this context, we have discussed illegal immigration, as well as the various tragic incidents that have taken place in EU Member States. Malta believes that the security of its citizens should be at the highest level, both nationally and "At the Community level, Malta also believes that the EU must be flexible enough to meet the needs of the Member States and must focus on ensuring the quality of life of its citizens as threats continue to diversify and multiply," the Maltese minister said. .
Elsewhere in his statements, he said that both Malta and Cyprus were focusing on defense and national security, in particular controlling their external borders, due to the challenges posed by international criminal networks and migratory flows, and the need for better maritime surveillance and the need to deepen their defense cooperation.
He said his country would continue to press at all European levels to find ways and means to tackle illegal immigration.
We will continue, he said, to insist on the mandatory division of responsibilities between EU countries. Mr Farrugia also referred to the possibility of exploring possible opportunities for bilateral co-operation between the armed forces in search and rescue, training at military academies and joint peacekeeping. companies approved by the EU and the UN.
"Such bilateral ties are useful because they provide precisely the platform to discuss specific ways in which our countries can better coordinate and act together in real time, both technically and politically," he said.

Source: KYPE