The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, Vasilis Palmas, attended the International Defence and Security Exhibition Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, where Cyprus participated with a national pavilion showcasing the country’s growing defence industrial capabilities.

The Cypriot participation was organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence and formed part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance the international visibility, competitiveness, and export potential of the Cypriot defence industry. The national pavilion brought together representatives from several Cypriot defence and technology companies, providing them with an important platform to present their products, services, and innovative solutions to international partners, government officials, and industry leaders.

During his visit to the exhibition, Minister Palmas officially inaugurated the Cyprus national pavilion and met with representatives of the participating companies. He highlighted the importance of strengthening the country’s defence technological base and emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the development of the domestic defence sector.

On the sidelines of Eurosatory 2026, the Minister also held a meeting with the Secretary-General for Defence Products of the Ministry of Defence of Brazil. The discussions focused on opportunities for bilateral cooperation, defence industry development, and the exchange of expertise in areas of mutual interest. The meeting reflected Cyprus’s ongoing efforts to expand its international defence partnerships and strengthen relations with countries beyond Europe.

A significant milestone of the Minister’s visit took place on 16 June, when he signed the Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information between the Republic of Cyprus and the European Space Agency (ESA). The agreement represented an important step towards deepening cooperation between Cyprus and ESA in areas of strategic importance, including space technologies, security applications, research, and innovation.

The signing of the agreement was regarded as a major achievement for Cyprus, as it established a secure framework for the exchange and protection of sensitive information between the two parties. Such arrangements are considered essential for the development of advanced technological projects and for the participation of national entities in programmes involving classified information.

The agreement also demonstrated Cyprus’s growing interest in the space sector and its determination to strengthen its presence in European technological and research initiatives. Enhanced cooperation with ESA was expected to create new opportunities for Cypriot institutions, research centres, universities, and companies operating in high-technology fields.

Eurosatory 2026 once again served as one of the world’s leading defence and security exhibitions, bringing together government officials, military delegations, defence companies, and technology providers from across the globe. Cyprus’s participation highlighted the country’s commitment to promoting its defence industry internationally while simultaneously expanding cooperation with strategic partners in both the defence and space sectors.

The visit of Minister Vasilis Palmas to Paris underlined Cyprus’s efforts to reinforce its international partnerships, support innovation, and position itself as an active contributor to European security, defence, and technological development.