Turkey and occupied north criticise renewed US defence restrictions waiver for Cyprus
Turkey and the occupied north said the US decision to renew its defence restrictions waiver for Cyprus could undermine trust and destabilise the region.
Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkey and the occupied north on Sunday condemned the United States’ decision to renew the lifting of defence restrictions on Cyprus, saying it could undermine trust between the island’s two communities and destabilise the region.
The decision allows the export, re-export and transfer of US defence equipment and services to Cyprus for the coming fiscal year.
Turkey’s response
Turkey’s foreign ministry said actions that could further erode trust between the two sides in Cyprus should be avoided.
It accused the Republic of Cyprus of intensifying pressure on the Turkish Cypriot community and said its armament activities undermine regional stability.
The ministry said Turkey, as a guarantor power, would continue to defend the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots and ensure their security.
Occupied north’s statement
The occupied north’s ‘foreign ministry’ expressed deep regret over the US decision, saying it disregarded realities on the island and in the region and could strengthen armament tendencies.
It said that, amid serious conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, international actors should take account of delicate balances in the Eastern Mediterranean and act in ways that support peace and stability.
The ‘ministry’ called on the international community to pursue what it described as a fair and balanced policy for two separate states and two separate peoples.
US decision
The reactions followed the Republic of Cyprus’ foreign ministry’s welcome of the US decision on Sunday.
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