Nicosia, Cyprus. Israel’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus in a message marking the 52nd anniversary of Turkey’s invasion of the island.
The ministry said it stood in solidarity with Cyprus and described the continued Turkish military presence in the north and Ankara’s unilateral actions as unacceptable.
Call for negotiations
Israel called for the resumption of negotiations aimed at reaching what it described as a just, viable and lasting solution to the conflict.
“As a strategic partner and neighbour of Cyprus, Israel calls for the resumption of negotiations toward a just, viable, and lasting solution to the conflict,” the foreign ministry said.
Regional relations
Relations between Israel and Cyprus have drawn criticism from Turkish officials in recent months.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in April that the Israeli government had met with the Greek Cypriot administration and formed an alliance against Muslim countries in the region.
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said that if an alliance was formed with a state that kills children and this was done in violation of the will and sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people, he would explain it to the international community.
Earlier this year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described relations with Greece and Cyprus as part of a “hexagon of alliances”. Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel described Israel’s relationship with Greece and Cyprus as an “alliance of stability.”
