Britain joins the supporters of Cyprus in the Mediterranean crisis

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his country's support for Cyprus' position in the Eastern Mediterranean crisis, by consolidating its defense ties by conducting tripartite exercises with Cyprus and France off the coastal town of Limassol.

28 October, 2020 05:21

NEWS DESK

On Tuesday, Johnson and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiades, discussed the Libyan and eastern Mediterranean crises.

This came in conjunction with the British navy’s largest deployment off Cyprus in decades, to prove its presence in the troubled region and to confirm what officials said was Britain’s commitment to supporting the security of Europe after its exit from the European Union.

A force of three ships stationed around the British Royal Navy ship "HMS Albion" conducted joint exercises with a Cypriot patrol ship and helicopters and the French frigate "Jean Bart" off the coastal Cypriot town of Limassol.

In the context, Deputy Commander of the British Strike Force, Captain Phil Dennis, told the Associated Press: "The United Kingdom is doing its part to demonstrate our commitment to the safety and security of Europeans while working with our allies and partners in NATO."

The main part of the exercises took part in the exercises, the Cypriot special forces and the British Royal Marines, by boarding a supposedly hijacked ship - according to the simulation - by quickly disembarking from flying helicopters, while small, highly maneuverable fast boats came to the side of the ship.

British military officials stated that the joint training with Cypriot forces also demonstrated a shared commitment to regional stability and determination to strengthen bilateral defense ties.

Denise stressed that Cyprus is a very important partner for the United Kingdom in the eastern Mediterranean and the Mediterranean region in general, adding that the exercises provide "a great opportunity for us to see and experience understanding and knowing each other."

The United Kingdom kept two military bases in Cyprus after the eastern Mediterranean island gained independence from Britain in 1960.

The maneuvers come amid continuing tensions with neighboring Turkey over oil and gas exploration rights around a divided Cyprus due to the Turkish occupation of one of its parts.

T/S

ANHA