Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
On September 11, 2024, at the third United States-Republic of Cyprus (ROC) Defense and Security Dialogue in Nicosia, Cyprus, American and Cypriot delegations discussed ways to deepen security cooperation and enhance regional stability.
Principal Director for Europe and NATO Policy Alton Buland led the U.S. delegation, which included representatives from U.S. European Command, U.S. Embassy Nicosia, and the New Jersey National Guard, the Republic of Cyprus' state partner. Brigadier General Charis Georgiou, head of the ROC's Minister of Defense's military staff, led the Cypriot delegation and hosted the dialogue.
The delegations reviewed joint progress in security cooperation, highlighting growth in international military education and training, joint exercises, and the recent one-year anniversary of the ROC's joining the State Partnership Program. The discussions also focused on furthering security partnership objectives under the U.S.-ROC Roadmap for Bilateral Defense Cooperation Efforts signed on September 9, 2024.