"We are discussing with the US on three levels that NATO membership offers, how the Republic of Cyprus can take advantage of these opportunities, so that when everything is in place, the Republic of Cyprus can become a member state of NATO", said the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis, on Thursday, attending the ceremony for the 8th National Skills Competition SkillsCyprus 2024, held in the former State Fair.
Asked to give a "clear answer" if the Cypriot Government intends to submit an application for Cyprus to join NATO, the President of the Republic replied that the fact that the Republic of Cyprus cannot be a member state of NATO due to Turkey's objections, prevents the National Guard from many opportunities, either upgrading or acquiring military equipment.
He added that "and precisely because we do not want the National Guard to miss these opportunities, we are discussing with the US - and I am happy about the positive response - on three levels offered by the status of a member state of NATO, about how the Republic of Cyprus can take advantage of these opportunities, so that when everything is in place, the Republic of Cyprus can become a member state of NATO".
President Christodoulidis pointed out that "strengthening the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus is of the utmost importance for us and thus we take advantage of every opportunity, both in the direction of the USA and NATO and towards the EU, where there are several programs of the European Defense Organization in which we participate to achieve this goal". He pointed out that "at the same time we have a comparative advantage, which is summed up in our geographical position, in an area of particular geostrategic importance".
He noted that "for the infrastructures we have, whether the naval base or the air base, a decision has already been made to strengthen and upgrade them and within this context we are in advanced consultations for the naval base with the EU, for the air base with the USA. This is what we do very specifically. In this direction, we see a very positive response from the US as well, I have to admit, you see everything that is being done."
He also stated that other very important developments related to the Defense and Security sector - and not only - are expected soon, which will strengthen the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus.
Asked when the conditions will be ripe, which will allow the submission of the application for NATO membership, the President of the Republic said that "the less we say about this matter, the closer we are to the goal".
Source: KYPE
