The Italian Navy’s Frigate ”Virginio Fasan,” which had been docked at the port of Larnaca from February 8 until February 10, has carried out a joint military exercise with the Cypriot Navy, it was made public on Tuesday.
According to a press release issued by the Italian Embassy in Nicosia, the frigate is conducting patrolling operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, for presence and surveillance activities, in compliance with international law and to safeguard national interests.
It should be noted that the Italian energy company ENI has a presence inside Cyprus’ EEZ, conducting drilling activities in search for possible oil and gas deposits.
”The presence of the Fasan in Cyprus is part of the naval diplomacy activities carried out by the Italian Navy in the context of international cooperation and dialogue with the countries of the area, with which Italy has important political, diplomatic, economic and cultural relations,” the Italian Embassy in Nicosia stated.
”The Fasan is the latest Italian ship to visit the island, after a series of calls by Italian ships to Cyprus ports in the last few months,” the press release added.
According to the same statement, the frigate Virginio Fasan came into service in the Italian Navy in 2013 and is currently serving with the First Marine Division Command, based in La Spezia, northwestern Italy.
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