Turkey condemns Cyprus-US defence co-operation roadmap
Turkey condemns Cyprus-US defence co-operation roadmap
The US announced the launch of a strategic dialogue with Cyprus in June, which Turkey said was detrimental the the Turkish Cypriot side of the Island.
2 min read
The Island of Cyprus has been divided into two following the Turkish invasion of occupation of the north in 1974 [Photo by Danil Shamkin/NurPhoto via Getty Images]
Turkey said it condemned this week's signing of a roadmap to boost two-way defence co-operation between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus.
The move came amid United Nations efforts to find common ground for the resumption of long-stalled negotiations between the rival Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities on the Mediterranean island, which has been divided for decades.
The US steps, including last June's announcement of the launch of a strategic dialogue with Cyprus, are detrimental to the security of the Turkish Cypriot side of the island, the Turkish foreign ministry said.
"These steps ... undermine the neutral USA position towards the island of Cyprus and make it more difficult to reach a just, lasting and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue," it said in a statement on Wednesday.
On Monday, the United States and the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus signed the co-operation roadmap in Nicosia.
In a joint statement, their defence ministries reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate to tackle international security concerns via the roadmap.
Cyprus was partitioned in a Turkish invasion in 1974 after a brief Greek-inspired coup. Peace talks have been on hold since 2017.
The Turkish Cypriot side administers a breakaway state in the north of Cyprus recognised only by Ankara. It says a resumption of talks hinges on acceptance of its equal sovereignty with the Greek Cypriot government.
(Reuters)
More In News
