Brussels, Belgium. Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler said on Friday that the status of forces agreement signed between the Republic of Cyprus and France violates international law and could upset regional security balances.
Turkey’s response to the agreement
Speaking to reporters after returning from the week’s Nato defence ministers’ summit in Brussels, Guler said the agreement, which will allow France to station troops on the island, was signed by France, “which does not have guarantor status”, and the “Greek Cypriot administration”.
He said the agreement is “an initiative which lacks legitimacy, disrupts delicate balances, and violates international law”.
Warnings over regional tensions
Guler said it is “of utmost importance” that “actors responsible for generating security refrain from steps which will deepen regional tensions”.
“They must prioritise dialogue, cooperation, and a shared understanding of security. In this context, we are closely following some recent military cooperation initiatives in the eastern Mediterranean and some developments which could affect the regional security equation,” he said.
He warned that if agreements such as the one signed by France and the Republic of Cyprus continue to be signed and honoured, they may present “the risk that approaches could draw certain actors into conflicts and crises”.
“Instead of enhancing regional security, [they] could harm the security of the people in the region in the long run,” he added.
Turkey’s position on Cyprus
Guler said Turkey will “continue to fulfil its rights and responsibilities as a guarantor power [of Cyprus] on the legitimate basis which stems from international law”.
“The security, peace, and wellbeing of the Turkish Cypriots are of vital importance to us … I would like to reiterate that Turkey is a party to peace, stability and constructive dialogue in the eastern Mediterranean,” he said.
He added that Turkey has “the full will to fulfil our responsibilities as a guarantor power in the face of developments which threaten the security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”.
Agreement signed in Nicosia
The agreement was signed earlier this month in Nicosia by French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin and Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas.
Guler also held a meeting with Vautrin in Brussels on Thursday, though no statements were made after that meeting.
