Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-11-24

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org,cy>

CONTENTS

[01] ''We are on course'', says Greek Defence Minister

1430:CYPPRESS:01

[01] ''We are on course'', says Greek Defence Minister

He has pointed out that the joint Greco-Cypriot defence doctrine, a deterrent against possible Turkish expansionist designs on Cyprus, is an invitation to all to back peaceful means for a settlement in Cyprus.

He also gave assurances that Greek air defence will be in a position to respond quickly and effectively in Cyprus' defence, should the need arise.

Tsohatzopoulos and his Cypriot counterpart, Costas Eliades, have dismissed any talk about a ban of overflights by Greek and Turkish aircraft over Cyprus, saying the former are legal whereas the latter illegal.

The Ministers have also noted that the defence pact, agreed in November 1993, is not ''a race to catch up with Turkey's defence capability'' but a defensive pact to enable Cyprus to boost its defences and deter any possible offensive against the island.

Speaking at a press conference on the conclusion of his four-day official visit to Cyprus, Tsohatzopoulos said ''strengthening and upgrading our defences is the best possible prerequisite to make everybody feel the need to back peaceful efforts to settle the Cyprus problem.''

''I leave Cyprus satisfied and at ease that we are on the right track and that future moves shall be effective in such a way as to meet our national goals,'' Tsohatzopoulos said.

He also said that during his talks it was agreed that ''there are possibilities to improve and conclude the defence doctrine'' through promoting coordination and planning joint military exercises, training, arms purchases or technical matters.

''Our defence capability must be complemented by a steady economic and social development which backs our ability to meet the cost of arms acquisition programmes,'' he remarked.

The Greek Minister said Greece and Cyprus are called upon to face two big challenges relating to upgrading their defences and their European orientation.

Replying to questions, Tsohatzopoulos said overflights by Greek aircraft and Turkish aircraft ''are two different things.''

Greek fighters fly to Cyprus at the invitation of the legal Government of the Republic of Cyprus but Turkish planes fly over Cyprus in contravention of international law.

Eliades noted that President Glafcos Clerides had rejected proposals relating to a ban of overflights by Greek and Turkish aircraft on the basis that the former are legal and the latter illegal.

In a thinly veiled warning to outside threats, the Minister reassured that the defence doctrine ''offers the possibility to deal with geographical realities (proximity of Cyprus to Turkey) in the region'' and added ''rest assured that whenever necessary, the Greek armed forces will have the essential minimum time to be in Cyprus.''

''The joint defence doctrine aims at bringing Cyprus and it will bring Cyprus closer to Greece and Greece nearer Cyprus,'' he stressed.

Replying to questions, Tsohatzopoulos said ''it would be absurd if we were to attempt to enter a race to compete with Turkey or any other country in terms of arms acquisition.''

But, he added, one must secure the defence capability of the Greek and Cypriot armed forces through effective means.

Complementing this reply, Eliades pointed out that the decisions taken during Tsohatzopoulos' visit will result in bolstering Cyprus' air defences.

''Our air defence capability will be strengthened significantly following our talks here,'' Eliades told the press.

Asked about the possibility of signing a formal bilateral defence agreement, Tsohatzopoulos said such an issue does not necessitate urgent attention in that there is already a political agreement between the two governments on the defence front.

''This is not an issue of immediate concern. It is on our agenda of talks and we are dealing with the essence of the matter,'' he explained.

Eliades did not think this issue had to be tackled as an immediate priority and added ''I do not think the issue of signing a formal and legal bilateral agreement needs to be sorted out at this stage. If the need arises, we shall of course deal with it in the future.''

He also disclosed that next month Defence Ministry officials will go to Athens for further talks in a bid to push for implementation of decisions taken during this visit.

CNA MM/RG/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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