The Minister of National Defense, Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos participated in the 5th Tripartite Meeting with the Ministers of Defense of Cyprus, Mr. Charalambos Petridis and Egyptian General Mohamed Zakiheld today Monday 20 June 2022, in Cairo, Egypt.

During their meeting, the Ministers of Defense reaffirmed their common will and determination to further develop coordination, cooperation and joint efforts to enhance security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as to create an environment conducive to the development and prosperity of their peoples.

The common goal of the three countries is the implementation of a long-term, coherent and effective strategic cooperation, in accordance with international law and the principles of good neighborliness with all countries in the region.

In the Joint Declaration of the Tripartite Meeting, the Ministers condemned the unilateral actions that violate the sovereignty, sovereign rights and territorial integrity of any country in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region and stressed the need for all countries to respect the international United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and all other relevant agreements.

The Minister of National Defense informed his counterparts about the delinquency and provocation of Turkey and the overflights of Turkish warplanes, emphasizing that these are completely unacceptable actions and Greece will defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights, resolutely, against any impunity.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos expressed his belief that the further development and expansion of the Tripartite Cooperation, with the participation of other countries in joint actions, with military means, personnel and observers, will assist in the pursuit of the Tripartite Cooperation and will contribute to security and stability. of the wider area.

It was agreed that the next Tripartite Meeting of the Ministers of Defense of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus will take place in Greece, in 2023.

During the Tripartite Ministerial Meeting, the following Joint Declaration was adopted:

Joint Statement of the 5th Tripartite Meeting of the Ministers of Defense of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Cyprus and the Hellenic Republic

Cairo, June 20, 2022

1. General Mohamed Zaki, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Mr. Charalambos Petridis, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Cyprus.

Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Minister of National Defense of the Hellenic Republic.

They met in Cairo on June 20, 2022, with the aim of further promoting their joint defense and military cooperation.

2. The Ministers of Defense reviewed the progress of cooperation in the field of defense and security and expressed their satisfaction with the common achievements. Reaffirmed their common will and determination to further develop coordination, cooperation and joint efforts to enhance security and stability, as well as to support the creation of an environment in the Eastern Mediterranean that is conducive to the development and prosperity of the peoples. their.

3. The Ministers of Defense also discussed developments and prospects regarding the security situation in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the tensions that affect the security and stability of the wider region.

4. The Ministers expressed their concern and condemned any unilateral action that violates the sovereignty, sovereign rights and territorial integrity of any country in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region and stressed the need for all countries to respect the international the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and all other relevant agreements.

5. The Ministers of Defense agreed on a common vision underpinning the ever-increasing strategic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean in the present and in the future in the portfolio of energy, climate change and security, the security of transmission lines and international maritime trade routes. They also stressed the importance of their cooperation in enhancing security of energy supply, providing an additional of energy supply to Europe. They acknowledged the military obligations in the field of security which make it necessary to strengthen coordination and cooperation efforts.

6. The defense ministers of the three countries have expressed their deep concern over the resurgence of terrorist organizations and their activities in many hotbeds of conflict and tension in the Middle East and the Sahel. At the same time, smuggling in all its forms, illegal immigration and human trafficking remain a constant challenge. In addition, the mercenary phenomenon, the transfer of foreign fighters and the support of armed militias pose a dangerous threat to regional and international peace and security, and impose further responsibilities for cooperating and coordinating countermeasures against these challenges.

7. The Ministers of Defense appreciated the efforts made by the Armed Forces of their countries for the implementation of the joint training programs of the three branches (Army-Navy-Aviation). They also discussed and welcomed the participation of friendly countries in these exercises, which are a cornerstone of coordination and consolidation of capabilities to enhance regional peace, security and stability.

8. Emphasized the importance of international co-operation in reducing global security tensions, mitigating global polarization and ending armed conflict immediately. The need to resolve crises through diplomatic and political means to avoid long-term and geographically tense conflicts that will hurt the world and especially developing countries in terms of ensuring their basic and strategic needs for food and energy security and defense needs was also stressed. .

9. The three Ministers of Defense agreed as follows:

a. Intensify communication, consultation, exchange of information, evaluations and coordination of joint efforts to address the scope of military challenges and security threats at regional level, as well as to meet the security and interest-enhancing requirements of the three countries.

b. To hold the next tripartite meeting of the Ministers of Defense of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus in Greece in 2023 “.