Palmas says Greece-Israel Achilles Shield agreement also protects Cyprus

Nicosia, Cyprus. Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said the military agreement between Greece and Israel to develop the so-called Achilles Shield would provide protection for Cyprus as well as the two signatory countries against what he described as a common threat from Turkey.

Trilateral security cooperation

Speaking on Thursday on the sidelines of a ceremony for students set to attend military academies in Greece, Palmas said the agreement was a bilateral arrangement between allied countries Greece and Israel and had followed consultations at a high political level.

Asked about the agreement’s significance for Cyprus, he said Cyprus, Greece and Israel faced common security risks.

“To be clear and explicit, what we mean is that all three countries face a threat from Turkey,” Palmas said.

He said Cyprus had experienced 52 years of occupation, while Greece faced violations of its airspace and maritime areas and breaches of international law. He added that Israel also faced issues in its relations with Turkey.

Palmas said the three countries, which have close political relations and military cooperation at various levels, were coordinating to identify joint ways and synergies to address those risks.

He said the cooperation was intended to strengthen security in the wider region while protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all three countries.

Defence agreement

Israel and Greece signed a €3 billion defence agreement on Monday under which Israel will build a multi-layered air defence system for Greece, as Athens advances a wider military modernisation programme.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the agreement as “one of the largest in the state’s history” and linked it to the trilateral relationship developed with Cyprus over the past decade.

Cyprus already operates Israel’s Barak MX system and has approved the acquisition of four Greek-made Kentavros counter-drone systems.