Four European Navies Conclude Joint Eastern Mediterranean Drill Amid Turkey-Libya Tensions

Greece, Cyprus, France and Italy have completed the EUNOMIA 7-26 multinational naval and air exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean, running from Oct 16-22 under the Coordinated Quadrilateral Initiative (QUAD). The drill incorporated complex operations such as maritime interdiction, anti-submarine warfare, air defence, surface-threat response and live-fire exercises aimed at safeguarding offshore hydrocarbon extraction facilities and the proposed Great Sea Interconnector electricity cable.

Its finish coincided with Libya’s House of Representatives ratifying a 2019 maritime delimitation agreement with Turkey, a pact Athens and the European Union have denounced as illegal. Turkey responded on Oct 16 with a counter-NAVTEX disputing Greek authority to announce activities in the sea area south of Kastellorizo. Greek forces contributed ships, aircraft and special-warfare units, while a Distinguished Visitors Day was held aboard the Italian frigate Rizzo near Cyprus, attended by Rear Adm Ioannis Sarakis representing Gen Dimitrios Choupis. The exercise highlighted the four countries’ coordinated effort to address intertwined maritime boundary disputes, energy-infrastructure security and regional military activity.