Turkey launches ‘largest navy drill in its history’

Turkey on Wednesday launched what has been described as its largest navy drill in its history by its official news agency Anadolou, which some Greek Cypriot parties have linked to expansionist policies in the region.

According to Anadolou, over 100 vessels are taking part in the exercise dubbed ‘Blue Homeland’ which is due to last until March 2. The drill encompasses the Black Sea, Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The navy flotilla includes, Anadolou said, 13 frigates, 6 corvettes, 16 assault boats, and 7 submarines, 7 mine hunting vessels, 14 patrol boats and other navy vessels.

Socialist Edek in a statement said the drill “confirms Turkey’s aspirations” to extend its maritime borders in violation of international law, while the Green Party suggested it was linked to the probable announcement on Thursday by US energy giants ExxonMobil of its findings in block 10 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“While the efforts of the United Nations and the leaders of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are resuming the dialogue to resolve the Cyprus problem, Ankara is escalating its challenges in every possible way,” the party said.

“This movement by Turkey aims to challenge the Republic of Cyprus, its geopolitical and geostrategic territory.”

Asked to comment, government spokesman Prodromou Prodromou said on Wednesday “some might say it is message related to the elections taking place in Turkey”.

Prodromou said he would not go into an analysis of the decisions and actions taken by Turkey but rather repeat the position of the Cyprus government on the benefits of observing international law “through all the relationships we have with all neighbouring countries, except, unfortunately, Turkey”.

He said that during their meeting on Tuesday, President Nicos Anastasiades had reminded Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci that Turkey’s actions in Cyprus’ EEZ, “unfortunately, do not contribute towards the resumption of negotiations and a resolution of the Cyprus problem”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.