DIKO president proposes strengthening Cyprus's role in European defense

During a conference titled 'Defense: Challenges and Prospects,' Democratic Party (DIKO) president Nikolas Papadopoulos outlined a strategy to integrate Cyprus into the European defense architecture. He advocated for a permanent presence of European military forces on the island to bolster regional security. A central proposal includes utilizing approximately 1.2 billion euros available through the EU's SAFE mechanism to upgrade the Mari Naval Base and the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos. Additionally, Papadopoulos suggested the acquisition of modern air defense systems, specifically the Iron Dome and anti-drone technology. These measures are intended to establish Cyprus as a key pillar of European security in the Eastern Mediterranean. The DIKO president emphasized that these actions are essential for national survival and the broader European interest.