Greece, Cyprus, Egypt to bolster maritime security

The defense ministers of Cyprus, Egypt and Greece agreed on Thursday to step up cooperation in combating drug, weapons and people trafficking in the east Mediterranean. The three states will also share information on countering the threat of terrorism, AP said. Cypriot Defense Minister Christoforos Fokaides and his Egyptian and Greek counterparts Sedki Sobhi and Panos Kammenos said that they’re also setting up a coordinating body to oversee joint special-forces drills geared toward protecting vital sea lanes in the eastern Mediterranean. “Trafficking in drugs, weapons and people finances radicalism and terrorism,” Kammenos said. Drills due to start in the next few months will sharpen coordination on search and rescue operations.