Cyprus and New Jersey National Guard seek to broaden defence cooperation
Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas and New Jersey Adjutant General Yvonne L Mays reviewed progress under the State Partnership Programme.
Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus and the New Jersey National Guard are seeking to expand defence cooperation into additional areas under the United States State Partnership Programme, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Friday.
Palmas met New Jersey Adjutant General Brigadier General Yvonne L Mays at his office to review progress under the programme and discuss prospects for broader cooperation.
State Partnership Programme
In a post on X, Palmas thanked the New Jersey National Guard for its contribution to strengthening the capabilities of the Cyprus National Guard. He also reaffirmed the defence ministry’s intention to continue and further deepen cooperation under the programme.
The State Partnership Programme is a US Department of Defence security cooperation initiative administered by the National Guard Bureau. It pairs US National Guard organisations with partner countries to develop long-term military and security ties.
The programme developed from US initiatives launched in the early 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union and has since expanded globally.
Cyprus-New Jersey partnership
Cyprus was paired with the New Jersey National Guard in 2022, becoming New Jersey’s second State Partnership Programme partner after Albania. The partnership was formally marked by signing ceremonies in Nicosia and New Jersey in 2023.
In 2024, Cypriot explosive ordnance disposal personnel trained with the New Jersey Air National Guard in counter-IED operations, unexploded ordnance clearance and airbase recovery following simulated attacks.
Further exchanges in Cyprus have focused on cybersecurity, network security and leadership development, while Cypriot personnel have travelled to the United States for training and exercises.
More recently, Cypriot National Guard personnel participated in New Jersey’s Best Warrior Competition in May. Military leaders from Cyprus and New Jersey also held planning sessions in July for cooperation during the 2027 and 2028 fiscal years.
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