Turkish Cypriot gov’t urges US not to back provocative policies of Greek Cypriot side

By Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish Cypriot government on Thursday called on the US to abandon its stance of supporting the provocative policies of the Greek Cypriot administration.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said the US’ decision to allow the export of military equipment to the Greek Cypriot administration is “unacceptable.”

Together with arms exports, joint military exercises between the US and Greek Cypriot administration will further embolden the provocative actions of the latter, the statement said, noting that such policy would also contradict the purported aim of the US to ensure stability in the region.

“This pro-Greek Cypriot approach will serve no other purpose than to escalate tensions on the island and in the region,” it added.

Drawing attention to the Greek Cypriot administration’s increasing military build-up and efforts for forming military alliances, the ministry noted that the developments prove that the TRNC is justified in protecting its legitimate rights and interests in the region.

The ministry called on all parties, including the US, to abandon their stance of supporting the provocative policies of the Greek Cypriot administration and assist efforts to reach a sustainable agreement based on the sovereign equality and equal international status of the two states on the island.