Special forces from Greece, Cyprus and the United States are holding a joint military exercise in the sea area off the naval base at Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete, state-run Athens-Macedonia news agency (ANA-MPA) reports.
According to the same report, the trilateral drill was planned by the Hellenic Defense General Staff (GEETHA) to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the forces.
READ MORE: Pompeo to Turkey: Immediately reduce tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In 2020, the three countries forged much closer ties than every before, as Mediterranean tensions were at an all-time high due to continuous Turkish incursions into the territorial waters of both Greece and Cyprus.
A meeting between US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, in September last year, reaffirmed these stronger bilateral relations and a mutual desire to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
“The United States and Greece reiterated their dedication to enhancing their close cooperation as NATO allies, using all appropriate means at their disposal in order to safeguard stability and security in the wider region,” the two countries said in a joint statement after the meeting.
READ MORE: Pompeo pledges US support to ease Greece-Turkey dispute.
