Greek fighter jets take part in last phase of military exercise in Cyprus: Message to Turkey
Greek F-16 jets took part on Thursday in an exercise of Cyprus` National Guard. Photo via CNA
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Greek F-16 jets took part on Thursday in an exercise of Cyprus` National Guard. The last phase of the exercise, dubbed Steel Arrow, took place at Kalo Horio firing range in Larnaca, with the participation of National Guard’s helicopters and artillery. The F-16 fighters flew over the area along with the National Guard’s Gazelle helicopters.
Cyprus Defence Minister, Savvas Angelides, which attended the last phase of the exercise, told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the presence of the F-16 jets here is not just a symbolic one.
Furthermore, he noted that in the framework of its cooperation with other countries, and especially with friendly countries of the region and other powerful countries as France, a programme of joint military exercises has been set out, aiming to secure the readiness and operational capability of the National Guard, underlining that “these exercises are not a response to the Turkish provocations.”
Angelides stressed the need to maintain the National Guard`s deterrent force at a high level, noting at the same time that “we always focus on diplomatic, legal and political manes to terminate the Turkish illegal actions.”
On the other hand, he noted, National Guard officers need to maintain a high morale and their deterrent capacity needs to be evaluated from time to time.
“The Greek armed forces took part in the last phase of this exercise in the framework of our military cooperation,” the Minister said, adding that the exercise was successful. “We have such military cooperation with many countries, let alone Greece, and at times we see joint exercises,” the Minister added.
In a post on his social media accounts, Angelides noted that “the professionalism and the morale shown today by the National Guard staff make me really proud! Congratulations to all. The dispatch of the Greek F-16 shows the excellent and uninterrupted cooperation with Greece.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The last round of negotiations, in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
According to a navigational warning issued by Turkey, Turkish drill ship “Yavuz”, which has returned to Cyprus’ EEZ, will carry out drilling operations inside block 7, located off the south-western coast of Cyprus. Block 7 has been licensed by the government of Cyprus to France’s Total and Italy’s ENI for drilling operations.
“Yavuz”, was anchored off the island’s north-eastern coast on July 8 and operated within the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus, until September 17, when it departed for a Turkish port in Mersin.
Moreover, Turkey issued a navigational telex (navtex), announcing its intention to start drilling off Cyprus and since 4 May 2019, the Turkish drill ship “Fatih” has been anchored 36 nautical miles west of Akamas peninsula. The area falls within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus. Ankara extended the navtex until November 1, 2019.
Cyprus has called on drill ship “Yavuz” and its supporting vessels to immediately cease illegal actions in the Republic’ Exclusive Economic Zone and its continental shelf.
A navigational telex (navtex), published on the website of the Joint Rescue and Coordination Centre (JRCC) stationed in Larnaca, also warned all those working on “Yavuz” and its supporting vessels that they will face consequences and an international arrest warrant will be issued against them.
EU Foreign Affairs Ministers agreed on Monday in Luxembourg that “a framework regime of restrictive measures targeting natural and legal persons responsible for or involved in the illegal drilling activity of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean is put in place” in light of Turkey’s continued illegal drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean. They invited the EU High Representative and the Commission to swiftly present proposals to this effect.
CNA – Maria Koniotou – Fanitsa Zannetou
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
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