The Turkish Armed Forces possess both the capability and determination to respond in the strongest possible manner to any hostile actions threatening the security of Turkish Cypriots, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence has stated following the signing of a Status of Forces Agreement between France and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus.
In its weekly press briefing on held on Thursday by Zeki Akturk, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry said in a statement:
“The agreement signed between France, which does not hold guarantor status in Cyprus, and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, seeks to unilaterally alter the sensitive balance on the island while disregarding the will and sovereign equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots. As such, it is contrary to the 1960 Cyprus Agreements and international law.”
The statement added that Türkiye, as a guarantor state, would continue “to safeguard the rights and interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and ensure its security.”
“The Turkish Armed Forces possess the power and determination to deliver the strongest possible response to any hostile actions threatening the security of the Turkish Cypriots,” it said.
Claims in the Greek Media
The Ministry also rejected reports published in certain media outlets and circulated on social media alleging that Turkish aircraft had harassed planes carrying the Greek Defence Minister and other European ministers.
“These organised and deliberate provocative claims do not reflect reality,” the statement said.
The Ministry noted that Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus have continued to engage in activities that disregard the rights and interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, fail to take into account the region’s delicate balance, and at times constitute violations of TRNC airspace.
