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Greek Cyprus Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas said the military agreement between Greece and Israel to develop the Achilles Shield provides protection for Greece, Israel and Greek Cyprus against what he described as a common security threat from Türkiye, Cyprus Mail reported Friday.
Speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony for students preparing to attend military academies in Greece, Palmas described the agreement as bilateral cooperation between Greece and Israel that followed consultations at a high political level.
Israel and Greece signed a €3 billion ($3.5 billion) defense agreement Monday under which Israel will develop a multi-layered air defense system for Greece as Athens proceeds with a broader military modernization program.
Asked about the agreement’s significance for Greek Cyprus, Palmas said all three countries face common security risks, explicitly identifying Türkiye as the threat.
Palmas said Greek Cyprus has faced 52 years of occupation, while Greece encounters what he described as violations of its airspace and maritime areas as well as breaches of international law.
He added that Israel also faces issues in its relations with Türkiye.
Palmas said Greece, Israel and Greek Cyprus have strong political relations and military cooperation at various levels, allowing them to coordinate and seek joint approaches and synergies to address those risks.
According to Palmas, the cooperation is intended to strengthen security across the wider region while protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all three countries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday described the security agreement with Greece as “one of the largest in the state’s history” and linked it directly to the trilateral relationship developed with Greek Cyprus over the past decade.
Greek Cyprus already operates Israel’s Barak MX air defense system.
It has also approved the acquisition of four Greek-made Kentavros counter-drone systems.
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