France stands by Greece over tensions in Aegean Sea - French defence min

FILE PHOTO: French Defense Minister Florence Parly attends a news conference in Paris, France, November 26, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo

ATHENS (Reuters) - France will stand by Greece and Cyprus, supporting both in their disputes with Turkey over maritime zones in the Mediterranean, French Defence Minister Florence Parly was quoted saying in a Greek newspaper on Sunday.

Greece and Turkey are at odds over a host of issues ranging from mineral rights in the Aegean Sea to ethnically split Cyprus. Tensions are also running high because of Turkish drilling off Cyprus and the European Union has prepared sanctions against Turkey in response.