Germany currently does not plan any additional military contribution beyond existing ones for Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean, a German Defense Ministry spokesperson said. Natalie Jenning stated that Germany's focus remains on its contributions to the eastern flank of NATO, including in Poland, Romania, Lithuania, and the northern side. She emphasized that the lack of further support is not due to reluctance or indifference but results from close coordination and a division of labor with partners, noting that some partners, such as France, have already promised help.
Cyprus is not a NATO member, so support should be provided under Article 42(7) of the EU Treaty, according to German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese. He said the EU mutual assistance clause has not been activated yet; instead, Cyprus has approached various EU partners bilaterally and help is already on its way. Giese added that the situation regarding Cyprus's defense is not as dramatic as portrayed.
Germany currently does not plan any additional military contribution beyond existing ones for Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean.
Existing help for Cyprus includes frigates and fighter jets from Greece, and a frigate from France, which is also considering sending an aircraft carrier, Giese said. Two German frigates in the region contribute to the overall situational picture and will share information with partners, Jenning added. Most EU countries are also NATO members and see the defense alliance as the primary guarantor of security, according to multiple reports. However, not all Cypriots want military support from the EU, major media reports indicate.
Therefore - and this is also part of this overall agreement - the German focus remains on our contributions to the eastern flank.
It is not about reluctance or indifference, as sometimes presented in the media. This is the result of the close coordination we conduct... There is a kind of division of labor, because some partners have already promised help - e.g., the French.
We will have our eyes and ears open and of course we will share with our partners the information we have about the situation.