Armenia has approved the establishment of a military attaché in Cyprus, marking a significant step toward deepening defense cooperation between the two nations. The new attaché, based in Nicosia, will also serve concurrently as Armenia’s military representative to Greece — a role currently held by Lieutenant Colonel Armen Mirzabekyan. The decision was adopted by the Armenian government during its October 30 session, underscoring Yerevan’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with friendly states that share democratic values and regional security interests.
The decision, drafted by the Ministry of Defense, highlights that Armenian–Cypriot relations are built on shared values, mutual trust, and strong potential for further development. The two countries maintain friendly ties and cooperate closely in democratic governance, human rights, the rule of law, peacekeeping, and the protection of women’s rights in the armed forces.
The Defense Ministry emphasized that the friendly and respectful relations between Armenia and Cyprus, as well as their cooperation within both bilateral Armenia–Cyprus and trilateral Armenia–Greece–Cyprus formats, serve as a solid basis for expanding Armenian–Cypriot cooperation at both the bilateral and multilateral levels. The significant potential for collaboration in the defense field, combined with the Cypriot side’s strong interest in deepening ties, led to the decision to appoint a Defense Attaché of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Cyprus.
According to the ministry, defense cooperation between Armenia and Cyprus also includes joint programs in military education, professional training of non-commissioned officers, combat readiness, military medicine, and anti-corruption mechanisms. Both sides hold regular defense and political consultations and exchange expertise in internal audits and civilian oversight of the armed forces.
The Cypriot side has recently expressed increased interest in deepening defense and security cooperation with Armenia. The new attaché position is expected to strengthen bilateral collaboration, open new avenues for partnership, and support the implementation of joint defense initiatives.
“The two defense ministries are deepening cooperation not only in governance, human rights, and the rule of law, but also in instructor training, peacekeeping, protection of female service members’ rights, and civilian oversight of the armed forces. New areas of collaboration include exchanges in internal audit, anti-corruption mechanisms, and regular defense-strategic and political-military consultations,” the ministry said.
Cooperation also includes bilateral political-military consultations, development of military programs, and exploration of new areas of mutual interest, such as military education, NCO development, personnel combat readiness, military medicine, exchange of expertise in specialized fields, and potential joint participation in international peacekeeping missions.
According to the ministry, the presence of a Defense Attaché in Cyprus will further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense, provide new momentum for joint activities, and elevate relations in the defense sphere to a higher level of partnership.
“Armenian–Cypriot cooperation operates mainly through bilateral Armenia–Cyprus and trilateral Armenia–Greece–Cyprus formats. Nevertheless, the two countries have significant potential to further develop defense and military-technical relations,” the ministry added.
