France and Greece conduct ‘provocative’ training in East Med Daily Sabah

World 11:20 30.11.2020

Turkey’s pro-government Daily Sabah has criticised France, Greece, Egypt, Cyprus and the UAE after they began a joint naval drill in the Eastern Mediterranean, Ahval News reports. 

Turkey's Defense Ministry held its weekly briefing on Sunday, noting that the alliance had conducted successive military drills in the Eastern Mediterranean since August “to provoke Turkey”, according to Daily Sabah

The news organisation also said that the regional alliance between the other powers is “based on hostility towards Turkey”. The Greek navy released a short video of Greek and Egyptian navy ships sailing together.

France has been pushing the EU to follow through on threats to impose economic sanctions on Turkey in retaliation for Turkey’s exploration for hydrocarbon resources in disputed waters off its southern coast which are also claimed by Greece and Cyprus. The EU meets in December to discuss a range of issues including its relations with Turkey.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is the guiding international treaty for dealing with maritime disputes between countries. However, Turkey has never signed the convention, making it harder for Turkey and Greece to seek the arbitration of the Convention’s court in their dispute. 

Turkey’s relationship with NATO ally France deteriorated further after French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments on “separatist Islam” following terror attacks in France in November. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a boycott of French goods and repeatedly said the French leader needed “mental health treatment”.

Turkey is also at risk of having sanctions imposed by the United States over its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence missile system.

Egypt has also recently concluded joint naval exercises with Russia in the Black Sea. Both countries support rebel General Khalifa Haftar’s forces in the Lybian conflict, while Turkey supports the UN-backed government in Tripoli.

The training exercise involving France, Greece, Egypt, Cyprus and UAE will continue until Dec. 6.

 

 

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Date for PKK disarmament in northern Iraq revealed
15:45 09.07.2025
Turkish foreign, defense ministers hold talks in Pakistan
15:30 09.07.2025
Bridge collapse kills 9 in India's Gujarat state
15:15 09.07.2025
Azerbaijani, UAE presidents to meet in Abu Dhabi
15:00 09.07.2025
Latest Red Sea attack on Greek ship kills four crew, wounds two
14:45 09.07.2025
Death toll in Kenya from anti-government protests rises to 31
14:30 09.07.2025
Tunisian court sentences opposition leader to 14 years in prison
14:15 09.07.2025
South Korean defense minister nominee calls for restoration of inter-Korean military pact
14:00 09.07.2025
Father to Bury Son, Three Decades After 1995 Srebrenica Genocide
13:45 09.07.2025
Tashir Group of Companies: Searches in office of Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC politically motivated
13:30 09.07.2025
20 Individuals Still Missing Following Landslip at China–Nepal Border Port
13:15 09.07.2025
Kazakhstan, China agree to contribute to Middle Corridor dev’t
13:15 09.07.2025
Massive Russian Drone–Missile Blitz Strikes Ukraine—Air Defenses Scramble
13:00 09.07.2025
Iran Orders Millions of Afghans to Leave by July 6 or Risk Arrest
12:45 09.07.2025
Tomorrow in Abu Dhabi: Aliyev and Pashinyan Hold Crucial Peace Process Talks
12:30 09.07.2025
Heavy rainfall hits SW China, 5 missing in Sichuan
12:15 09.07.2025
U.S. Detaining Individuals from Three Continents at Guantanamo Immigration Facilities
12:00 09.07.2025
Israel eliminates Hamas commander in Lebanon — IDF
11:45 09.07.2025
South Korea sends 6 rescued North Koreans back across sea border
11:30 09.07.2025
US condemns Houthi attacks on cargo ships in Red Sea
11:15 09.07.2025
Trump says he considers agreeing to more sanctions on Russia
11:00 09.07.2025
Today is a Day of Diplomacy in Azerbaijan
10:45 09.07.2025
Mexico probes former president for allegedly taking millions in bribes from Israeli businessmen
10:30 09.07.2025
Trump, Israel’s Netanyahu meet for a second time about a ceasefire in Gaza
10:15 09.07.2025
Death toll surpasses 100, at least 160 missing in Texas
10:00 09.07.2025
Mediators move closer to securing Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza
09:45 09.07.2025
FBI launches probes into former FBI, CIA directors
09:30 09.07.2025
Trump's envoy says US 'hopeful' 60-day Gaza ceasefire agreed upon 'by end of this week'
09:15 09.07.2025
Azerbaijan hosts official reception at Gulustan Palace on occasion of professional holiday of diplomats
09:00 09.07.2025
Organisation of Turkic States, TURKPA congratulate Azerbaijani diplomats on professional holiday
08:45 09.07.2025
Rubio: US waiting for signing of Azerbaijan-Armenia peace treaty
08:30 09.07.2025
Russia charges former deputy defense minister with fraud, illegal arms trafficking
20:45 08.07.2025
Far-right Israeli ministers call to block Gaza aid, enforce starvation, halt ceasefire talks
20:30 08.07.2025
Ukraine appeals to OPCW to investigate possible use of chemical weapons by Russia
20:00 08.07.2025
Minister: Slovenia considers Azerbaijan key partner in green transition
19:45 08.07.2025
Ukrainian forces push back and hold ground in Russian regions, army chief says
19:30 08.07.2025
Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan open new border crossing point
19:15 08.07.2025
Azerbaijan, Slovenia discuss green energy collaboration
19:00 08.07.2025
Baku hosts conference on role of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in media development
18:45 08.07.2025
Another Training Session Held at IEPF Headquarters – Representation at the UN in Focus
18:15 08.07.2025
Hamısı