Turkey has denounced a defense cooperation agreement signed between the US and the Republic of Cyprus this week, warning that it would disrupt the delicate balance in the eastern Mediterranean and harm efforts to resolve the longstanding Cyprus conflict.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement Wednesday condemning the agreement, signed on Monday, which aims to enhance military cooperation between the US and Cyprus. The deal focuses on joint responses to regional humanitarian crises and security concerns, including those linked to climate change.
“We condemn the signing of a roadmap to develop defense cooperation between the US and the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCASC),” Turkey’s foreign ministry said. It echoed the concerns raised earlier by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), the self-declared state recognized only by Turkey.
The KKTC Foreign Ministry said the deal further demonstrated US support for the Greek Cypriot side, citing increased US military visits to Cypriot ports. It also criticized the annual renewal of the US decision to lift its arms embargo on Cyprus, calling it a sign of Washington’s “biased support” for the Greek Cypriots.
The Turkish and Turkish Cypriot governments both expressed concern that US actions could destabilize the region.
“The steps taken by the US undermine its neutral stance on Cyprus and make finding a just, lasting, and sustainable solution more difficult,” Turkey’s statement said.
Since 1974, Cyprus has been divided between the Greek Cypriot south, which is internationally recognized, and the Turkish Cypriot north, following a Turkish military intervention in response to a coup aiming to unite the island with Greece.
Despite ongoing United Nations efforts, peace talks have remained stalled since 2017, with the Turkish Cypriot side insisting that negotiations can only resume if their equal sovereignty is recognized.