American, Greek and Cypriot military exercises E. Mediterranean

Special forces from Greece, Cyprus and the United States are conducting joint training off the island of Crete in the eastern Mediterranean, through which they aim to strengthen cooperation between the forces of the three countries, in a message addressed to Turkey.

13 January, 2021 11:34

NEWS DESK

The Greek Ministry of Defense announced last August that Greece, France, Italy and Cyprus had conducted military exercises in the south of the eastern Mediterranean island of Crete, after the recent escalation of tension between Athens and Ankara.

According to media outlets, the joint training aims to enhance cooperation between the Greek forces, the United States of America and Cyprus.

The ministry said in a statement "Cyprus, Greece, France and Italy have agreed to deploy a joint presence in the eastern Mediterranean within the framework of the Quartet Cooperation Initiative (SQAD)".

The discovery of large gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean in recent years has raised tensions between Ankara and Athens, which are in conflict over some maritime areas.

Since August 10, Turkey has sent a seismic vessel "Oruç Reis", accompanied by a naval force, which angered Greece, which in turn deployed warships in the region.

J.O