Petrides: Cyprus does not change its stance on Kosovo

The Republic of Cyprus adheres to the principled position of non-recognition of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. The principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are inalienable and unquestionable for us, Defense Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Charalambos Petrides said in an interview for Novosti.

On the eve of his two-day visit to Serbia, Petrides said that he had been particularly honored to be the first minister of defense to be invited to an official visit to Belgrade after the new government of Serbia had taken office.

"It is a great honor that confirms the cooperation and friendship between Cyprus and Serbia," Petrides said.

How do you assess the overall bilateral relations between Serbia and Cyprus?

Cyprus and Serbia have excellent bilateral relations that cover a wide range of areas, including, of course, cooperation in the field of defense. Our bilateral relations are characterized by stability, a high degree of mutual trust and understanding, as well as a mutual commitment to their strengthening. In addition, our peoples have deep historical ties, which complement bilateral cooperation.

We have witnessed a strong momentum of cooperation in the field of defense in recent years. What does it consist of and how do you rate it?

As I mentioned, we have long-standing bilateral cooperation, including in the field of defense. It has lasted for more than a decade and is continuously developing and progressing. An important aspect is the participation of Serbia in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, (UNFICYP), with military personnel and UN police personnel. The government and people of Cyprus are grateful for the important contribution to the peace of your country and its armed forces. In addition, we have an annual defense cooperation program that includes numerous activities - exercises, training, and personnel exchanges - that take place in Serbia and Cyprus.

Contracts for the procurement of weapons have attracted full attention lately. What is it about?

The defense industry of Serbia has provided valuable support to our armed forces and we are grateful that this cooperation is based on mutual trust and builds on our overall excellent bilateral relations. In recent years, as part of our efforts to modernize the capabilities of our armed forces, we have acquired the NORA artillery system and multiple rocket launchers from Serbia. Through this cooperation, we improve our defense and military cooperation and foster closer ties between our armed forces.

How do you see Serbia's path to the European Union, on which our country faces obstacles that other member states did not face? Does Cyprus feel the pressure to change its principled position on the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo in light of the conflict in Ukraine, which has reopened this issue?

The Republic of Cyprus undoubtedly supports Serbia's accession to the EU. We recognize that Serbia has made great efforts in implementing EU-related reforms over the past months and I would like to encourage you to continue to move forward with the same determination and commitment. At the same time, we are all in a critical geopolitical moment, when we are called to make difficult decisions and to show our commitment to European values and a clear strategic orientation. This is what EU countries and future EU member states are expected to do and it applies to all equally. In this era of geopolitical upheavals, we need to build strong partnerships based on the preservation and defense of the international order based on the rules, stability, and prosperity of Europe, which of course includes the Western Balkans.

Tensions are felt in many parts of the world in recent months. What is the security situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, where a new concept of security in this region is being created?

There is no doubt that the potential of oil and gas exploitation has created a new dynamic. Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and Egypt, along with others, are today at the forefront of a new geopolitical relevance in the region, which in the past was ignored or seen only in terms of the Middle East or Turkey's regional role. We are witnessing a paradigm shift in the Eastern Mediterranean. The creation of interconnected partnerships between our countries was not self-evident in the not-so-distant past. We have established trilateral defense cooperation mechanisms between Cyprus and Greece with Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. On top of that, we also have strong bilateral cooperation with Lebanon, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and many European and NATO countries including, of course, the US, France, Britain, Italy, and Germany. A safe and secure Eastern Mediterranean contributes to a safe and secure Europe, and thus a safe and secure Indo-Pacific. Respect for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is crucial. We strongly condemn the revisionist and aggressive rhetoric of Turkey, which threatens the security and stability of the region.

Milos Vucevic, with whom you will meet in Belgrade, took over the Ministry of defense in the new government of Serbia. What kind of personal encouragement for cooperation do you expect from your Serbian colleague?

On a personal level, I had the opportunity to establish a solid business relationship and sincere friendship with the Minister of Defense Milos Vucevic. It dates back to the time when we worked in the domain of local government - when we were mayors of the municipalities of Aglantzia in Cyprus and Novi Sad in Serbia. Hence, my visit to Belgrade has two reasons, a visit to a dear friend and colleague with whom we will improve our long-term cooperation in the field of defense and discuss issues of common interest.