Üstel: Initiatives ignoring Turkish Cypriot rights are unacceptable

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel emphasized that any initiatives disregarding the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people are unacceptable, underscoring that these legitimate rights must be taken into account in all actions under taken in the region.

Üstel issued a written statement commenting on recent remarks by Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides concerning a prospective defence agreement with France, which is expected to involve a French military presence in South Cyprus.

He noted that the statements made by Christodoulides and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen indicated that the Greek Cypriot Administration and the European Union have deviated from rational and sensible policy approaches

Expressing concern over what he described as efforts to alter the military balance on the island, Üstel warned that such initiatives could undermine regional security, regardless of how they are presented.

He stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side remains committed to safeguarding its rights and security, reiterating the past experiences on the island highlight the importance of avoiding steps that could lead to renewed tensions.

Prime Minister Üstel further stated that efforts by the Greek Cypriot Administration to establish new military balances on the island are misguided and pose risks to overall security. He added that, despite being presented under the guise of “humanitarian purposes,” the planned agreement with France constitutes a new element of the Greek Cypriot side’s armament policies and broader regional strategic agenda.