Security in Europe and defence cooperation, amid the Middle East and other crises, were discussed in Paris on Tuesday between Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas and Minister of the French Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu.
The two ministers affirmed the strategic cooperation between Cyprus and France and discussed developments in Europe and the eastern Mediterranean.
Special emphasis was given to the crisis in Lebanon, with Palmas referring to Cyprus’ role in assisting evacuees from the Middle East and sending humanitarian aid to the area.
On the Cyprus problem, Palmas said the government was striving for the resumption of talks and pointed out Turkey’s stance, including harassment by the Turkish army, which was continuously bringing the buffer zone into question.
On Ukraine and the Middle East, Palmas said they agreed that the most productive way to solve these problems was through political dialogue, based on international law.
Earlier, Palmas visited the Euronaval exhibition and discussed defence issues with chief executive of the French defence procurement agency Emmanuel Chiva.
