An aeronautical exercise (PASSEX) took place on Sunday in the Eastern Mediterranean with the participation of Cyprus, France, Greece and Italy.

The exercise took place on the occasion of the presence in the region of naval forces from France, Greece and Italy, a Defence Ministry press release says.

“The four states have committed to support freedom of navigation in international waters and to oversee any deviation from the respect of international maritime law,” the press release reads.

French frigate FS ACONIT and its panther helicopter, Italian aircraft carrier ITS GARIBALDI, Greek frigate HYDRA and Cypriot offshore patrol vessel IOANNIDES and an AW-139 helicopter took part in the exercise.

The exercise, which was coordinated by the National Guard General Staff, took place in the framework of a quadripartite initiative (QUAD) and “constitutes one more step in enhancing interoperability between cooperating states,” the press release concludes.