Nicosia: The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) released a statement Thursday condemning a decision by the US to designate the Greek Cypriot Administration eligible for arms sales. The claim by the US that this decision "was made to contribute to 'world peace' is tragicomic in the most diplomatic terms," said the TRNC's Foreign Ministry.
According to Anadolu Agency, US President Joe Biden issued a directive Wednesday allowing the Greek Cypriot Administration to purchase military equipment from the US. "The furnishing of defense articles and defense services" to the Greek Cypriot Administration "will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace," Biden said in the executive action.
The TRNC's Foreign Ministry criticized the Greek Cypriot Administration for presenting itself as a "victim" under security threats, noting that it was the Greek Cypriot side that turned Cyprus into a bloodbath between 1963 and 1974. The ministry highlighted that atrocities against Turkish Cypriots are often downplayed as "intercommunal clashes" by the international community.
Trkiye's military intervention in 1974 is cited as a crucial factor that halted the violence on the island and remains "the sole guarantee" of peace in the region, according to the TRNC. The ministry dismissed the Greek Cypriot claims of security threats as lacking credibility.
The TRNC expressed concern that the US decision would lead the Greek Cypriot Administration to continue its arms buildup, potentially destabilizing the region. The ministry called on countries supporting the Greek Cypriot side's military ambitions to consider the ramifications of their actions and exercise caution.
The TRNC emphasized its commitment to safeguarding the security of Turkish Cypriots in partnership with Trkiye. The ministry reiterated its stance on monitoring developments closely and taking necessary measures.
The Cyprus issue has been a longstanding conflict between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, with multiple UN-led diplomatic efforts failing to achieve a resolution. Ethnic tensions began in the 1960s, leading to Trkiye's intervention in 1974 following a Greek Cypriot coup. The TRNC was established in 1983, and peace negotiations have been intermittent, including a failed attempt in 2017.
The Greek Cypriot Administration joined the European Union in 2004, the same year Greek Cypriots rejected a UN plan to resolve the conflict.