The joint determination to further strengthen defence and military cooperation in order to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean region was established during the 2nd Quadrilateral meeting of the Directors of Defence Policy of Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and France held in Athens.

The above meeting took place under the coordination of the General Directorate of National Defence Policy and International Relations of the Ministry of National Defence, within the framework of the Quadripartite Cooperation – QUAD and after the completion of the quadripartite exercise “EUNOMIA-3-2022” held in the Eastern Mediterranean from October 3-6, 2022.

At the same time, the latest developments in Ukraine and their implications for the Eastern Mediterranean were reviewed, while current challenges and threats in the troubled security environment, including illegal immigration, were discussed. In addition, European issues, such as the strengthening of European strategic autonomy, EU defence initiatives and the implementation of the Strategic Compass were also on the agenda.

Also, proposals were made for the formation of a common framework of actions to ensure freedom of navigation, peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean and the prospect of further developing the EUNOMIA exercise into a strategic pillar of European Security.

On the first day, bilateral meetings of working groups of Greece – Cyprus and Greece and Italy took place, where the Directors of Defence Policy exchanged views on defence cooperation issues at both bilateral and European levels.

Also read: Completion of exercise “EUNOMIA 2-2021”

The first day of the Quadripartite meeting concluded with a working dinner hosted by the General Director of the General Directorate of Defence Policy and International Relations, Dr. Konstantinos P. Balomenos, for the missions of the participating countries, where issues of defence policy and security were discussed.

Apart from Dr. Constantinos P. Balomenos, his Cypriot counterpart, Lt. Col. Constantinos Constantinou, French official Guillame Ollagnier and Italian Director of Defence Policy, Rear Admiral Gianfranco Annunziata, participated in the working session of Quadripartite Cooperation.

The purpose of Quadripartite Cooperation is to maintain and improve the interoperability and cooperation of the Armed Forces of the four European countries as well as to strengthen their joint naval and air presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.

As emphasized in a statement by the General Directorate of National Defence Policy and International Relations, this initiative also demonstrates the collective and total commitment of the four countries to the implementation of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the established international law and respect for the Rules of Law and freedom of navigation in the eastern Mediterranean and, finally, the maintenance of regional stability and security in the wider region.

Also read: Aeronautical Exercise of Cyprus, France, Greece and Italy under the coordination of the National Guard – Photos