Turkey boycotted a NATO change of command ceremony on Friday to protest the participation of a Greek Cypriot representative, the state-owned Anadolu news agency reported, citing Turkish diplomatic sources.
Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters was sworn in as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, replacing Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, at the ceremony held in Mons, Belgium.
On Thursday Turkey informed NATO it would not attend the ceremony if an invitation to the Greek Cyprus administration, which is not a NATO member, was not withdrawn, said the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Turkish authorities also informed NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg about the situation, the source added.