Military Exercises on Crete
The Medusa military exercise, conducted with the participation of forces from Greece, Egypt, France, Italy, and Cyprus, drew significant attention south of Crete. Greek media described the exercise, which included air and naval forces, as a “strong message to Turkey.” The exercise reportedly took place in a maritime area in the southeastern Mediterranean, which is under protection by Greece.
The preparatory phase of the exercise began with the involvement of various warships and fighter jets in the southeastern region of Crete. According to Cyprus Mail, this area is part of a broader zone where Turkey maintains its maritime claims under the framework of an agreement signed with Libya.
Took Place After Tripartite Summit
The Medusa exercise occurred immediately following a tripartite summit held in El Alamein by the leaders of Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt. The joint statement issued after the summit emphasized these three leaders’ commitment to ensuring security and stability in the region. Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed the need to respect national sovereignty and international law.
The statement also expressed that maritime jurisdiction agreements should be based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This exercise represents a noteworthy development, occurring during a period when the participating countries continue to maintain military and diplomatic cooperation in the Levant region.
Source: www.diyaloggazetesi.com
