NEWS

Defence Minister Mr. Petridis spoke about the specific goals set by the Ministry in respect of radical resources utilization during the Press Conference on the Promotion of the Government Project and the Citizens’ Information.

As the Minister himself stated, the mission of the Ministry of Defence is to safeguard the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.

The selection of the right actions requires the synergy of the military expertise which the Ministry receives from the National Guard General Staff via the technocratic skills of the Ministry of Defence personnel. The proper execution of these actions presupposes targeted resources utilization in order to obtain the best possible result.

In this context, Mr. Petridis analyzed the strategy on which state actions are based on. In fact, he referred to the following six pillars:

• The strengthening of the operational capability of the National Guard
• The strengthening of the defence cooperation relations of the Republic of Cyprus with other States
• The implementation of innovative and reformative actions
• The improvement of the Legislative and Regulatory Framework governing the Army of the Republic of Cyprus and the National Guard
• The most efficient utilisation of our financial resources
• The implementation of environmental and energy policy, which will save resources for the benefit of defence shielding.

Also read: EDIDP | Great Success of Cyprus Companies with Participation in Five New Proposals

Each pillar is based on specific axes. Specifically, in terms of the 1st pillar (strengthening the operational capability of the National Guard), the Ministry acts according to four axes:

1. Maximum utilization of the capabilities of existing weapon systems in combination with the supply of technologically advanced means that improve the deterrent capability of the National Guard
2. Infrastructure upgrade
3. Management of Personnel issues
4. Synergy with other “National Power Components”

Regarding the 2nd pillar (strengthening the defence cooperation relations of the Republic of Cyprus with other States), the Ministry acts according to four axes:

1. Strengthening the foreign defence policy of the Republic of Cyprus promoting regional cooperation
2. Support in the effort for an integrated defence policy and strategic autonomy of the European Union
3. Maintaining good neighborly relations through Search and Rescue activities
4. Upgrading the relations of the Republic of Cyprus with the United States of America

Regarding the 3rd pillar (Implementation of Innovative and Reformative Actions), the Ministry acts according to four axes:

1. Gradual turn of the Republic of Cyprus to an important training hub on Common European Security and Defence Policy, Cybersecurity, and international crisis management
2. Development of a cooperation network between the Ministry, Academic – Research Community, and Enterprises
3. Participation of the Ministry of Defence in European programs of research and development of defence capabilities and technology, in cooperation with other EU Member-States
4. Implementation of innovative reformative actions in the context of the Units’ daily operation.

Also read: The Minister of Defence in “DЯ” | The 2021 Class, the future of Contracted Soldiers and the Cyprus Defence Industry – (Part A)

Regarding the 4th pillar (Utilisation of financial resources), the Ministry acts according to three axes:

1. Defining quality standards that meet our needs, in order to facilitate participation in competitions
2. Intention to supply standard materials whose specifications have already been prepared by specialized centers
3. Requirement of bidders to have certification for the quality of services provided

Regarding the 5th pillar (Improvement of the Legislative and Regulatory Framework governing the Army of the Republic of Cyprus and the National Guard), the Ministry has as its axis:

1. The adoption of measures against draft avoidance.

Finally, regarding the 6th pillar (Implementation of environmental and energy policy), the Ministry aims:

1. To adapt the activities of the National Guard by implementing policies and actions that respect and protect the environment without affecting the operational readiness of the Force through the “Ecological Management and Ecological Control System”
2. At energy saving in the operation of the facilities.

Source: Ministry of Defence

Also read: Charalambos Petridis | Presentation of the 6 pillars of planning for the National Guard to the Finance Committee