UNIPATH STAFF
Egypt and Cyprus confirmed their close military partnership by successfully concluding the Ptolemy 2021 military exercise in September.
The exercise included marksmanship practice, close quarters combat drill, simulated raids on terrorist hideouts and medical evacuation. The joint participation ensured that Egypt and Cyprus could test combat interoperability.
Egypt and Cyprus enjoy robust military relations. Cypriot troops — including naval and special operations forces — were major players in the two-week multinational Bright Star exercise hosted by Egypt at Mohamed Naguib Military Base in September 2021.
“Relations on a personal level and at the level of the Armed Forces of Egypt and Cyprus are excellent and fraternal,” Cypriot Armed Forces Chief of Staff
Lt. Gen. Democritos Zervakis said at a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart at the time.
In addition, Egypt, Cyprus and Greece hold tripartite summits to discuss partnership and collaboration in tackling issues related to the eastern Mediterranean Sea, including demarcation of shared maritime borders and exclusive economic zones.
As recently as September 2021, Egyptian and Cyprus held a presidential summit in Cairo featuring Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades. Security, diplomacy, trade, tourism and agriculture were highlighted on the agenda.
“The strategic partnership we have established in the eastern Mediterranean requires constant coordination to achieve regional stability and commitment to exchange support on all issues of common interest,” President el-Sisi said.
Sources: Al Ahram, defensearabia.com, egypttoday.com