Nicosia, Cyprus. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany is “committed to peace and to a strong Europe” during a visit to Cyprus as conflict in the Middle East deepens.
Meeting in Nicosia
Wadephul was welcomed at the Cypriot foreign ministry by his counterpart Constantinos Kombos. In the ministry’s visitors’ book, he wrote that “in these challenging times, it is good to have Cyprus, a good friend and partner with shared values, by our side”.
“We stand together and are committed to peace and to a strong Europe,” Wadephul added, thanking Cyprus for the country’s “commitment as a bridge to the Middle East” and for its role as the current holder of the Council of the European Union’s rotating presidency.
Military deployments to Cyprus
The visit came days after the German frigate FGS Nordrhein-Westfalen arrived at the port of Limassol, joining a growing fleet of international military vessels deployed to Cyprus amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The ship’s arrival followed comments last week by Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis that Germany was to assist in “preventative measures” to protect the island after it was hit by an Iranian-made drone.
Germany’s deployment of a frigate follows moves by other Nato and European Union member states to send military assets to Cyprus and its vicinity.
Dutch, French, Italian and Spanish involvement
The Netherlands is the latest country to deploy a frigate to Cyprus, as part of the french aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle’s carrier strike group. The Charles de Gaulle is currently located off the Greek island of Crete.
French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Charles de Gaulle on Monday, after earlier paying a joint visit to Cyprus alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Macron said during his visit to Cyprus that the Charles de Gaulle is “now close to Cyprus to contribute to the overall defence picture, and to ensure it in the long term”.
Italy has announced its intention to send the Federico Martinego frigate to Cyprus, while Spain is to send the Cristobal Colon frigate.
What do you think the increase in international naval deployments to Cyprus signals about regional security?
