Cyprus and the New Jersey National Guard are planning to expand their defense cooperation into new areas under the United States State Partnership Programme (SPP), according to Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas.
Palmas met with New Jersey Adjutant General Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays at his office on Friday to review the progress of the existing partnership and discuss future opportunities for collaboration. Following the meeting, Palmas stated that the Ministry of Defence intends to continue and deepen the relationship between the two forces.
The State Partnership Programme is a security cooperation initiative managed by the U.S. National Guard Bureau that pairs U.S. National Guard organizations with partner nations to foster long-term military and security ties. The program originated in the early 1990s and has since expanded globally.
Cyprus was officially paired with the New Jersey National Guard in 2022, becoming the state’s second partner after Albania. The partnership was formalized through signing ceremonies held in Nicosia and New Jersey in 2023.
Since the partnership began, the two sides have engaged in several collaborative efforts. In 2024, Cypriot explosive ordnance disposal personnel conducted training with the New Jersey Air National Guard, focusing on counter-IED operations, unexploded ordnance clearance, and airbase recovery. Other exchanges have addressed cybersecurity, network security, and leadership development.
Additionally, Cypriot National Guard personnel participated in the New Jersey Best Warrior Competition in May. Military leaders from both sides also held planning sessions in July to coordinate cooperation efforts for the 2027 and 2028 fiscal years.
Article source: cyprus-mail.com | Image credit: cyprus-mail.com