The Commander of Cyprus’ National Guard, Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas, paid a visit to the USA heading a delegation of officers from the National Guard General Staff from April 29 to May 6, during which, the steadfast commitment of the Cypriot and US armed Forces to strengthen cooperation was demonstrated, according to a press release issued by the General Staff in Nicosia.
During the visit, that was held after an official invitation from the US military leadership, Commander Tsitsikostas visited the Pentagon and held a series of meetings with high-ranking officials from the US Department of Defence and the US National Guard. He also attended the activities of the Special Operations Conference (SOF Week 2025).
The press release said that the Chief of the National Guard held meetings with the Acting Chief of the Joint Staff of the US Armed Forces, Admiral Christopher Grady, as well as with the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Michael F. Miller. Among other things, these officials are responsible for overseeing key military cooperation programmes such as Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Excess Defense Articles (EDA), and Article 10, which are essential tools for enhancing the capabilities of allied and partner countries, including the Republic of Cyprus.
According to the press relesae, the steps to be taken for the institutionalization of mechanisms that will facilitate the initiation and acceleration of the implementation procedures of these programmes were discussed, with the aim of upgrading the operational capabilities of the National Guard and maximizing mutual benefits. The discussions took place in the presence of Cyprus’ Ambassador to Washington, Savvas Evaggelou.
Furthermore, the Chief of the National Guard had the opportunity to meet with General Steven Nordhaus, Commander of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB), and with the Commander of the New Jersey National Guard, Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays. In a particularly warm atmosphere, as noted in the press release, the importance of the international cooperation programme “State Partnership Program – SPP” as a framework for long-term military collaboration was reaffirmed.
The Chief of the National Guard also participated in the Special Operations Forces Conference (SOF Week 2025), which was attended by veterans, officials, Armed Forces Chiefs, and politicians from 60 countries, representing the field of Special Operations, with over 23,000 participants.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Chief held successive meetings with the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), General Bryan P. Fenton, and the Commander of U.S. Special Operations in Europe (SOCEUR), General Richard E. Angle. During these meetings, issues of bilateral interest were discussed, with particular emphasis on strengthening operational cooperation, exchanging expertise in the field of Special Operations, and exploring opportunities for the National Guard to participate in joint training activities, aiming to enhance interoperability and synergy between the two countries.
The Chief of the National Guard held an official meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York with Deputy Secretary-General Cheryl Pearce, the Military Adviser to the UN Secretary-General in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), and a senior-ranking military official within the United Nations hierarchy. Pearce previously served as the Commander of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). According to the National Guard General Staff press release, the meeting was also attended by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Nations, Ambassador Maria Michael. During the discussion, issues related to international security, UNFICYP, and enhancing cooperation between the National Guard and the relevant UN military bodies were addressed.
Commander Tsitsikostas was invited by the American think tank “Atlantic Council” to participate in a discussion with security and defence experts. During this event, he exchanged views on the geopolitical developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the role of the Republic of Cyprus as a pillar of stability in the region.
The Chief of the National Guard also laid a wreath at the Arlington National Cemetery and visited several units and military training facilities. During these visits, briefings were provided regarding the mission, organization, and operational activities of the Units, and demonstrations were conducted showcasing the capabilities of their equipment.
According to the press release, the visit of the Chief of the National Guard to the US is part of the strategic cooperation framework between Cyprus and the US in the fields of defence and security. It “demonstrates the steadfast commitment of the Cypriot and American Armed Forces to further strengthen their military cooperation. It also confirms the high level of mutual trust and shared dedication to maintaining stability and peace in the broader Eastern Mediterranean region,” the press release concluded.
Also read: Christodoulides pledges support for journalists and local media
Source: CNA
