Rome, Italy. Italy’s foreign ministry on Tuesday summoned Iran’s ambassador in Rome to protest the firing of a drone at the United Kingdom’s Akrotiri air force base in Cyprus. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he told the ambassador that Europe should not become involved.
Italy’s protest to Iran
Tajani said after meeting the ambassador that he had made clear, following the attack in Cyprus, that Europe has nothing to do with it and “should not under any circumstances get involved in this story.”
Cyprus coordination with partners
Earlier, Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis was asked whether Italy would join France and Greece in sending personnel and hardware to Cyprus in light of the drone strike. He said Cyprus is coordinating with partners, including European Union member states and third countries, adding that they are evaluating and that “the responses are positive.”
Foreign military buildup described as necessary
Letymbiotis said the buildup of foreign military forces in and around Cyprus in recent days is “necessary,” while stressing that “in no case” is Cyprus party to the conflict. He said the requested assistance is necessary and that Cyprus acts within the framework of preventative measures.
How do you assess Cyprus’ coordination with partners following the drone strike?