In response to a written parliamentary question, British Defence Minister, James Heappey, referred to “long-standing and effective” bilateral defence cooperation between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus.

In particular, Ipswich Conservative MP Tom Hunt asked the Defence Minister what steps he has taken recently to increase the number of joint training exercises between the Armed Forces of the two countries.

Taking it upon himself to answer, Mr Heappey noted that the UK regularly participates in joint exercises with the Cypriot Armed Forces, such as in exercise APHRODITE SHIELD this year and the annual participation in exercises ARGONAUT, NEMESIS and CAMBRIAN PATROL.

He added that participation in joint exercises is based on the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Program (BDCP), signed in 2016 and updated annually.

“The implementation of the BDCP has led to an increase in our bilateral defence cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus. We continue to explore opportunities to deepen our cooperation across the spectrum of defence, through joint training exercises also,” concluded the British Defence Minister.

Source: CNA