Press Releases

I wish to warmly welcome all of you here, today, to the annual civil-military Exercise Argonaut.

Among the praiseworthy characteristics of Argonaut is that it is the only civil-military Exercise which addresses, amongst other, the vital issue of non-combatant evacuation operations. We are exceptionally pleased to witness every year the constant increase of international participants and observers, a fact indicative of the high level and significant added value of the Exercise. The extensive participation also reflects our common realization that the current situation in the Middle East calls for intensification of our collective vigilance and preparedness. When armed conflict breaks out, or natural disasters strike, there is such an immediate impact on civilians, that humanitarian evacuation procedures have to activated immediately.

Cyprus, due to its geographical position, at the strategic crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has a significant role to play as a “safe transfer hub”. We are well aware of our role and responsibility, and the Government of Cyprus has proven its willingness and readiness to assume and fulfill this responsibility for the benefit of the International Community.

In fact, this role has been a core component of our foreign policy in the past few years, which has as one of its primary goals to amplify the capacity of Cyprus as a geopolitical bridge, and as a generator of security and stability. The Government has actively promoted the forging of synergies, with closer cooperation between moderate partners in the region – including through the creation of trilateral mechanisms with neighbouring countries – and in this way conveying the message that we stand united against the threats we face.

Cyprus assumed the role of “safe transfer hub” for the first time twelve years ago, when it was used as a “safe haven”, for an evacuation operation of civilians during the 2006 Lebanon crisis. There was no specific action plan at that time, yet the services of the Republic of Cyprus responded effectively, in a timely manner, and in doing so gained the trust and appreciation of international partners.

The Civil Defence along with its volunteers - the Police, the Medical Services, the Social Services, the Army, the Custom authorities, the Immigration authorities, the Port and Airport authorities, the Civil Society, the Red Cross - worked in full coordination, cooperating smoothly and with a strong sense of purpose and responsibility, alongside Foreign diplomats, crisis teams and service men, to handle the huge influx of civilian evacuees, address their needs and alleviate their suffering.

This accumulated experience of collaboration and coordination was codified in the “ESTIA National Action Plan” that you all very productively practiced at the port this afternoon and at “Kition” lodging Center, this morning.  We are strong believers in the principle that action plans must not remain in dark drawers. They must be scrutinized and put to the test through drills and this is precisely the prime purpose of the Argonaut exercise: to test, assess and improve existing action plans in order to be ready for a real emergency. Being prepared is half the success.

In closing I would like to express our special thanks to each and every country participating, and to all the services of the Republic that participated and made the success of this Live Exercise possible. 

Allow me now to present the participants with a small token of our appreciation. 

(RM/AM/II)