On 21st and 22nd May, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency, Claude-France Arnould, made a visit to Cyprus. Attending at the invitation of the Mr Demetris Eliades, Cypriot Minister of Defence, Ms Arnould also met with Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Mr Christos Malikkides, and Defence Policy Director Mr Georgios Georgiou, as well as the Deputy Minister to the President for European Affairs, Mr Mavroyiannis, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Petros Eftychiou.
In wide ranging and productive meetings, they discussed the upcoming Cypriot presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Minister expressed his appreciation for the work of the European Defence Agency and assured Ms Arnould of his continued support, notably in projects of relevance for Cyprus such as maritime surveillance and medical support. Research and technology is another area that would be investigated, with the aim of building upon the strong expertise of the researchers of the university of Kios – which Mme Arnould visited.
The Minister underlined that “with the support of the European Defence Agency, he would push the EU agenda forward during his presidency.”
