Ankara warns alliances targeting Türkiye and Turkish Cypriots

Any military alliance targeting the rights and interests of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has “no chance of success,” Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

In its weekly briefing, the ministry stated that the Turkish Armed Forces possess the strength and determination to deliver “the strongest response” to any hostile action threatening the security of Turkish Cypriots.

The Ministry said Türkiye is closely monitoring “provocations aimed at increasing tensions and undermining stability in the Eastern Mediterranean,” referring to a recent agreement signed between France and the Greek Cypriot Administration.

“The agreement signed between France, which has no guarantor status in Cyprus, and the Greek Cypriot Administration, which seeks to unilaterally alter the delicate balance on the island and disregards the will and sovereign equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots, is contrary to the 1960 Cyprus Agreements and international law,” the statement said.

According to the ministry such initiatives, lack of legitimacy disregard their potential consequences, could have dangerous repercussions for the southern part of the island.

“We reiterate that any military alliance that ignores the delicate balance in the region and targets the rights and interests of Türkiye and the TRNC has no chance of success against Türkiye,” the ministry said.

The Ministry further stated that, as a guarantor state, Türkiye will continue to safeguard the rights and interests of the TRNC and ensure its security.

“The Turkish Armed Forces have the strength and determination to give the strongest response to hostile actions threatening the security of the Turkish Cypriots,” it added.