France on Wednesday said military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean along with Greece, Italy and Cyprus were aimed at promoting respect of international law as tensions soar with Turkey in the region.

Defence Minister Florence Parly said on Twitter that three Rafale jets, a frigate and a helicopter would take part for France in the exercises which get underway on Wednesday.

"The eastern Mediterranean is turning into an area of tension. Respect for international law must be the rule and not the exception," she said.

"Our message is simple: priority for dialogue, cooperation and diplomacy so that the eastern Mediterranean becomes an area of stability and respect for international law."

In an apparent jibe at Turkey, she added: "It should not be a playground for the ambitions of some -- it's a shared asset."

The discovery of major gas deposits in waters surrounding Crete and Cyprus has triggered a scramble for energy riches and revived old rivalries between NATO members Greece and Turkey.

Tensions are already high between France and Turkey over the conflict in Libya where both Paris and Ankara have accused the other of interference.

Meeting Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in Paris last month, President Emmanuel Macron denounced what he called Turkey's "violation" of the sovereignty of Greece and Cyprus.

Turkey says conducted Mediterranean exercise with US
Istanbul (AFP) Aug 26, 2020 - Turkey said Wednesday it had conducted exercises with a US navy destroyer in the eastern Mediterranean, hours after its rival Greece began war games with France and EU allies nearby.

"Turkish frigates TCG Barbaros and TCG Burgazada have conducted maritime training with American destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill in the eastern Mediterranean on 26 August," the defence ministry announced in a tweet.

The ministry also released photos of three warships, two of them Turkish and one flying the Turkish and US flags.

It did not specify the military drills' location or other details.

The Turkish announcement came in the heat of an escalating row over maritime borders and rights to large natural gas reserves that has pitted Turkey against its old rival Greece and the rest of the European Union.

Greece began three days of exercises with France, Italy and Cyprus on Wednesday in an area south of Crete.

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Turkey's maritime doctrine author has dire warning for France
Istanbul (AFP) Aug 23, 2020
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