Greece's new defense minister says his country is boosting cooperation with Cyprus to strengthen security in a volatile region.

Panos Kammenos says that the discovery of hydrocarbons in the east Mediterranean as well as the threat posed by the rise of extremism in the region necessitates closer security cooperation.

Speaking after talks with Cypriot counterpart Christoforos Fokaides on Wednesday, Kamenos said Greece will «very soon» proceed with the delineation of its offshore boundaries where an oil and gas search can begin.

He says Greece is planning joint military exercises with Cyprus, Israel and possibly Egypt that will be carried out in the next few months.

[AP]