Joint exercises of Cyprus and France take place in the Mediterranean Sea

On 17 February, the third joint Franco-Cypriot exercise Talos 1 2020, involving the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, began in the Mediterranean Sea. This is reported by Cyprus Mail. During the first phase of the exercise, air defense scenarios were worked out in case of a likely attack by external forces on the Republic of Cyprus. The arrival of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Cyprus port of Limassol is expected on Friday, 21 February. It is expected to stand there until Tuesday, February 25. During the visit, talks between the Minister of Defence of Cyprus, Savvas Angelidis, and the Minister of Defence of France, Florence Parly, are planned. Parly also plans to meet with Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades. On Saturday, 22 February, a solemn reception is to be held at the bot of the aircraft carrier, at which Anastasiades, representatives of the civil and military authorities of the island State, members of the diplomatic corps are expected to be present. According to the news agency, in early February Cyprus signed a contract with France for the supply of weapons for a total amount of 240 million euros. Read also: French Foreign Ministry called violation arrival of drilling ship of Turkey in EEZ of Cyprus