France sends warship to East Med amid renewed tension

France toured the Eastern Mediterranean with its new frigate Auvergne, displaying its military muscle while underscoring what the ship’s captain said was the importance that Paris attaches to ensuring security and stability in the region.

Captain Paul Merveilleux de Vignaux said the Auvergne with its 150-strong crew would be deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean until January to gather intelligence in order to “show how the respect of international law and especially freedom of navigation matters” to France.

De Vignaux said this is the 12th time that the Auvergne has visited the coast of the Greek Cypriot administration, which he called key to supporting French naval operations in the region.