President Nikos Christodoulides reportedly presented a plan of Cyprus’ possible future accession to NATO to US President Joe Biden at their meeting in October 30 at the White House.
According to Katherini, the plan, which was “eagerly accepted” by Washington, is “detailed, well-thought-out, with long-term planning and consisting of many interdependent stages.”
Kathimerini’s correspondent in the US capital said the Christodoulides also presented the plan to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Bucharest.
Christodoulides, according to Kathimerini, sets as a priority the formalisation of the relationship between Cyprus and NATO.
To achieve this, a chain of events must ensue, starting with developments on the Cyprus problem and progress on Euro-Turkish issues.
Nicosia also asked the United States to procure US defence equipment through a three- or five-year agreement; further upgrade the field of training members of the National Guard in US military academies; and decisive contribution of the United States to the gradual modernisation of Cyprus’ defense capabilities and means to NATO standards.
