No: 198, 28 September 2024, Regarding the Renewal of the Decision by the USA to Lift the Arms Embargo on the Greek Cypriot Administration

It has been announced that the USA will extend for another year, as of 1 October 2024, its decision to lift the arms embargo against the Greek Cypriot Administration - a decision initially taken in September 2020, the scope of which was expanded in 2022, and extended in 2023. We agree with the views expressed in the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on this issue.

This grave mistake would lead to an arms race on the island and undermine the delicate balances in the region.

In the face of the increasing armament activities of the Greek Cypriot Administration, we believe that the TRNC will take all necessary measures to increase its defense and deterrence capability.