In light of tension with Ankara ... military maneuvers E. Mediterranean

Today, Greece, Cyprus, France and Italy will conduct joint military exercises in southern Cyprus, which will continue until the 28th of this month.

Also, three French Rafale fighters and a similar number of Greek F-16s landed yesterday at Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos, Cyprus.

The joint quadripartite exercises, called "Ionomia", include a wide range of sea and air exercises, which the Greek "Zogla" network considered a resounding response to Ankara's escalating provocations.

A French naval frigate participates in these maneuvers and tests, which began today in addition to air and ground participation.

While the Cypriot Ministry of Defense said: “The participation of the four Mediterranean countries in these maneuvers is to contribute to strengthening the collective maritime presence on the basis of mutual understanding, dialogue and cooperation, as well as to give priority to diplomatic channels of communication at the bilateral and European levels,” and continued: “As these maneuvers illustrate the collective intention and commitment of the four European countries to implement the law of the sea. "

In turn, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said, "These exercises aim to demonstrate the commitment of the four Mediterranean European countries to the rule of law," according to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini.

Relations between the European Union and Ankara have deteriorated during the last period due to the oil and gas exploration operations in the eastern Mediterranean.

Athens began, yesterday evening, military maneuvers in which its naval and air forces participated in the Mediterranean Sea, southeast of Crete and south of the Greek island of Kastellorizo, near the area to which Turkey sent the research vessel Oroch Prime, accompanied by warships, to survey the Mediterranean Sea in search of gas and oil reserves.

J.O