NICOSIA [MENL] -- The Republic of Cyprus has quietly joined European defense regimes.

Nicosia has been participating in European Union and NATO meetings and exercises. Officials said the exercises mark the entry of the Greek Cypriot republic in Western defense alliances.

The Cyprus Defense Ministry has been participating in an exercise entitled Milex-2005 held by the EU and within the framework of the European Security and Defense Policy. The exercise began on Nov. 22 and would last through Dec. 1.

A Defense Ministry press release said the exercise, meant to train for a military crisis, was considered extremely important by the EU. The ministry said the goal of Milex was to evaluate the military and operational level of member states.