Greece “is here” for Cyprus, Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos said on Wednesday during joint statements with his Cypriot counterpart Christoforos Fokaides in Nicosia. Kammenos arrived on the island for a two-day official visit earlier the same day. The Greek Defense Minister stressed that the Cyprus problem remains one of invasion and occupation for the Greek government, while he denounced the presence of Turkish seismic vessel “Barbaros” in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as “blatant provocation.” The two Ministers held a brief press conference after their meeting at the Cypriot National Guard General Staff headquarters, where an official welcoming ceremony was held. Kammenos announced that over the coming months, Greece is planning to hold joint military exercises with Cyprus, Israel and possibly Egypt. Asked whether he intended to reinstate the Greece-Cyprus Single Defense Area doctrine, Kammenos said that planning will be carried out over the coming months. Fokaides welcomed the Greek Minister and thanked him for Athens’ unceasing support for Nicosia. He stressed that Greece and Cyprus are key pillars of stability, security and democracy in the region. In regard to Turkish provocations, he noted that Cyprus is determined to defend its sovereign rights against all threats. He also announced a decision to place an officer of the Cypriot National Guard to the Hellenic National Defense General Staff in Athens for the first time, in order to act as a liaison between the two sides. (source: ana-mpa)
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