Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, head of Egypt's ruling military council, left, greets Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right (Photo: AP)
Vice Admiral Mohab Mamish, chief of the Egyptian Naval Forces, stated that Egypt's naval exercises with its Turkish counterpart are not directed toward anyone, clarifying that it was a routine exercise held to exchange technical and tactical expertise.
Mamish also added that these exercises have no political ends and that the Egyptian and Turkish navies have one goal, maintaining security and peace in the region.
The exercises between the two navies (Sea of Friendship 2011) began on Thursday in Turkey’s Mediterranean waters.
This year the Egyptian navy is participating with the largest number of naval units and officers yet in an exercise outside Egypt.
It is the third year in a row that the two Mediterranean nations hold joint naval exercises.
Short link: