Col ( Ret ) Andreas Loizou
Member of the Board The Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies ( HEL . I . S . S .)
Andreas Loizou has graduated from the Hellenic Army Academy and as an infantry officer he graduated from the infantry schools in Greece and France . He graduated also from the War School in Greece and the France War School ( CSEM ), the French Interarmy Defense College ( CID ), and the National Defense School in Greece . He obtain a DESS in Strategy and a DEA in History . Andreas Loizou resigned from the National Guard in 2013 From 2014 until 2015 and 2016 until 2021 he was a lecturer in Ledra College Cyprus and in 2015-16 was a fellow Teacher in UCLAN Cyprus University . Andreas Loizou is the author of numerous political and scientific articles . He has attended in numerous seminars and participated in a variety of conferences , working groups and seminars . He working as political advisor in the Cyprus Parliament and most of his articles have been published in the Cyprus , Greek press . Andreas Loizou is a member of the Hellenic Institute of Strategic Studies .
" How the Republic of Cyprus may cooperate with other countries in the framework of PESCO and the benefits for the National Guard ”
The Participation of Cyprus in the PESCO programs , based on our capabilities as a small State , should be based on the need to modernize the National Guard ( NG ) by adopting new practices . Before identifying NG needs , Army , Navy , Air Force , and cyber expert officers should study in-depth :
1 -The Threat and Capabilities of the Enemy . 2 -Security and Intelligence issues . 3 -Hybrid Threats . 4 -Defense Problems . 5 -Arsenal of the NG . 6 -Ability to target all enemy forces in the occupied territories , in the Cypriot seas , especially in those controlled by the enemy and in the airspace of the Republic of Cyprus and last but not least , Interoperability with EU-NATO friendly countries . 7 -Military infrastructure for EU purposes .
In addition , Cyprus should start a new program to replace all weapons systems from countries outside the EU , except friendly countries , with weapons systems produced by the EU and especially with those countries that have industrial cooperation with Cypriot companies . The further development of the defense capabilities of the Cypriot Armed Forces through PESCO programs will allow the application of modern technologies . Within the framework of PESCO , Cyprus will have the opportunity to expand and improve its defense infrastructure , e . g . the Naval Base of Gen . Evangelos Florakis in Mari and the Air Force Base of Andreas Papandreou in Paphos , thus increasing the defense and security policy of the EU . Many communication companies based in Cyprus can invest in Management , Control , Communications , Information and Computer systems . The Ministry of Defense and the NG must focus their needs for cooperation with the Cypriot industry in a win – win situation .
In my presentation , I also tried to express that the government of Cyprus if wants further development in this sector , now is the time to take initiative in this direction , in close cooperation with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and the Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation . PESCO is the ideal field to take action . Such cooperation will benefit the NG , the industry of Cyprus and the EU .