Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether British armed forces based at the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia monitored the recent Turkish naval exercise near Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is aware of the naval activities of all NATO allies in the region. Turkey is an important NATO ally and Cyprus is a key regional partner. The UK maintains strong and positive relations with them both and has encouraged both countries to work together with our partners in the Eastern Mediterranean to achieve stability and mutual prosperity.