Turkey condemns U.S. decision on Cyprus arms embargo

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s overseas ministry stated on Saturday it strongly condemned the growth of a call taken by the USA in September 2020 to carry its arms embargo on Cyprus.

The U.S. State Division stated on Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had lifted defence commerce restrictions for Cyprus for the fiscal 12 months 2023.

The Turkish overseas ministry stated this resolution would “additional strengthen the Greek Cypriot facet’s intransigence and negatively have an effect on efforts to resettle the Cyprus challenge”.

“It should result in an arms race on the Island, harming peace and stability within the japanese Mediterranean,” the assertion stated, calling on the USA to rethink its resolution and to pursue a balanced coverage in the direction of the 2 sides on the island.

Cyprus was break up in a 1974 Turkish invasion triggered by a quick Greek-inspired coup. Since then, Cyprus has been run by a Greek Cypriot administration within the south that Ankara doesn’t recognise.

Turkey recognises the breakaway Turkish state within the north of the divided island.

(Reporting by Daren Butler)