Greece will send a frigate and a submarine to the eastern Mediterranean region under its UN and NATO obligations, Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos has said.
According to Greek newspaper “Kathimerini,” Venizelos made the announcement on Wednesday after a meeting with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia.
The ship has been dispatched in the context of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the submarine was part of NATO‘s Operation Active Endeavor.
While the Turkish survey ship Barbaros, escorted by one warship, continues its seismic studies within Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Nicosia proposed counter-measures in response to Turkey’s violation, one of them being to freeze Ankara’s membership talks with the European Union.
“Greece is a country which respects its international obligations and participates in international operations,” said Venizelos, clarifying that the Greek ships have not been sent in relation to the Turkish violation of Cyprus’ EEZ.
Under the operation, NATO ships are patrolling the Mediterranean and monitoring shipping to help deter, defend, disrupt and protect against terrorist activity. “Greece has a steady naval presence in the broader region. This is a reality that everyone must take into consideration,” said Venizelos.
Venizelos also held contacts with his counterparts from Cyprus and Egypt. The meetings with Ioannis Kasoulides and Sameh Hassan Shoukry aim to prepare the ground for a trilateral summit between the three countries’ leaders in Cairo on November 8, while Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will make an official visit to Cyprus on November 7.
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