The defence ministers of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus have attended joint military drills between the three countries near the Greek island of Crete, the Egyptian army said late on Wednesday.
The Medusa-7 training exercise, which involves air and naval forces from the three countries, began earlier this week west of Crete.
Egyptian Defence Minister Mohamed Zaki, Greece s Panos Kammenos and Cyprus Savas Angelides hailed the forces carrying out the training, which they say "reflects a special level of cooperation" between the forces of the three countries, Egypt s military spokesman Colonel Tamer El-Refai said in a statement.
The spokesman had earlier said that the joint drills include planning and administering joint naval and air offensive operations, maritime interception, locating submarines, securing oil platforms and vital offshore targets, as well as search and rescue operations.
The military said the drills – where Egyptian military students and young people from a presidential leadership programme are taking part – will last for several days but did not mention when they will conclude.
