On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Program between the National Guard and the French Armed Forces for 2024-2025 was signed at the National Guard General Staff (GEEF) headquarters.

The Bilateral Defence Cooperation Program was signed by the Director of the 4th Branch of the GEEF, Colonel Alkiviadis Alkiviadi, on behalf of the National Guard, and on the part of the French Armed Forces, by Lt. Col. Matthieu De La Rochere.

The Bilateral Defence Cooperation Program provides for the conduct of bilateral exercises, trainings, and exchange of expertise on specialized issues of mutual interest in both Cyprus and France.

In particular, it includes, among others, joint trainings in the areas of artillery, tactical unmanned aircraft, naval cooperation and deterrence, special and amphibious operations, civilian evacuation and search and rescue. It also provides for the participation of National Guard personnel in specialized training and seminars in France.

The signing of the Program is considered to be particularly beneficial, as it provides the possibility for National Guard personnel to train together with Units of the French Armed Forces, thus promoting interoperability, an essential element for conducting joint operations.

It is also tangible proof of the excellent relationship that has developed between the Armed Forces of the two countries, indicating the intention to take advantage of every opportunity for continued expansion of cooperation in other areas of mutual interest.

The program is part of the wide network of bilateral and multilateral actions developed by the National Guard and expresses the commitment and will to upgrade regional and wider international cooperation in order to promote security, as it has been recognized that modern challenges and threats are both common and cross-border, something that requires multilateral and multifaceted action.

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