Defense Secretary to visit Cyprus and Greece from October 12-15, 2026

In connection with this significant foreign visit, which will commence on October 12, 2026, and continue until October 15, 2026, the Defence Secretary will depart for Cyprus and Greece. This itinerary aims to boost growing defense cooperation in Southern Europe and strengthen bilateral relations. During this four-day tour, the Defence Secretary will hold several key meetings with their counterparts in Cyprus and Greece, where in-depth discussions will take place on the current state of regional security, border security challenges, and military deployment strategies.

On the first day, October 12, the Defence Secretary will meet with foreign counterparts in Cyprus. The primary objective of this meeting is to strengthen platforms for military information sharing between the two countries and to review preparations for upcoming joint military exercises. In the meeting with Cypriot defense chiefs, new ways to enhance coordination in cross-border security challenges and crisis management will also be discussed. Both sides have agreed to increase participation in technical cooperation and military training programs on this occasion.

In the second phase of the tour, the Defence Secretary will depart for Greece. The meetings scheduled for October 13 and 14 in Greece will focus on reviewing defense cooperation agreements between the two nations and finalizing future plans. In these discussions with senior officials of the Greek Ministry of Defense, progress on joint naval exercises and training under air force cooperation will be monitored. Additionally, there will be dialogue on taking steps to strengthen trilateral and bilateral security alliances between the two countries to maintain regional stability.

On the final day of the tour, October 15, 2026, while addressing a formal ceremony in Greece, the Defence Secretary will announce a new expansion of the 'Defense Partnership' between the two countries. This announcement includes cooperation in the fields of defense electronics, cyber security, and humanitarian military aid. Key defense agreements will be signed between the two countries during the tour, establishing a new and transparent platform for regional security.

Upon the conclusion of the trip, the Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying that this tour with Cyprus and Greece will play a significant role in driving regional defense integration. According to officials, this visit will not only increase trust between the military forces of the two countries but also lay a strong foundation for stability and security in Southern Europe. The Defence Secretary will depart for return after October 15, 2026, where they will inform the public about the conclusions of the trip and future action plans.