Greece to hold military exercises with Cyprus, Israel and Egypt

During an official visit to Cyprus, Greece's Defense Minister Panos Kammenos announced that Greece, Cyprus and Israel would carry out joint military exercises, while Egypt is also expected to participate.

While in Cyprus, Kammenos met with his Cypriot counterpart Christoforos Fokaidis. Speaking to the press he said that the Cypriot dispute remains a matter of “invasion and occupation” for the Greek government, while he stressed that the presence of the Turkish Barbaros research vessel in the area remains a “clear provocation”.

Interestingly, Turkish provocations continued while Kammenos was arriving in Nicosia. Reports claim that a Turkish Navy frigate was instructed to enter the Cypriot EEZ and monitor the ongoing surveys for hydrocarbons.

Asked about whether or not we should expect the revival of a Joint Defense Doctrine, Kammenos said that this issue would be decided in the months to come.

On his part, Fokaidis thanked Greece for showing its support to Cyprus and stated that Greece and Cyprus are the main pillars of stability, security and democracy in the region.