ISTANBUL: Turkey announced it would conduct a live fire naval exercise off the coast on Cyprus between Saturday and Monday despite the looming threat of EU sanctions.
Turkey is at loggerheads with Greece and Cyprus over hydrocarbon resources and naval influence in the eastern Mediterranean, sparking fears of more severe conflict.
In a message on NAVTEX, the international maritime navigational telex system, Turkey said on Friday there would be a gunnery exercise off the coast of Sadrazamkoy in northern Cyprus.
The announcement comes after southern European leaders warned on Thursday they were ready to back EU sanctions against Turkey if Ankara shunned dialogue.
The issue will be discussed again at a EU summit on 24-25 September.
Tensions escalated after Turkey sent the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel and a small navy flotilla to waters claimed by Greece on August 10.
Greece then responded by shadowing the Turkish ships and staging naval exercises with several EU allies and the United Arab Emirates in its own show of force.
The Oruc Reis is supposed to remain in the disputed waters until Saturday.
Turkey to conduct naval exercises off Cyprus coast
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Turkey to conduct naval exercises off Cyprus coast
- Turkey is at loggerheads with Greece and Cyprus over hydrocarbon resources and naval influence in the eastern Mediterranean
UAE president and Macron discuss strategic relations in Abu Dhabi
- Meeting on Sunday at Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi focused on strengthening ties in various fields
LONDON: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the historical and strategic relations between their nations.
The meeting on Sunday at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi focused on strengthening ties in the economy, investment, culture, renewable energy, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and sustainability.
Sheikh Mohamed and Macron expressed their desires for ongoing progress and prosperity for both nations and their peoples, according to the Emirates News Agency, or WAM.
Several Emirati ministers and senior officials attended the meeting, including Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs; and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, deputy chairman of the Presidential Court for special affairs.
The French delegation accompanying Macron included several ministers and senior officials, according to WAM.
