Turkey's Yilmaz: Greek Cypriot steps harm climate of security

Turkey's Yilmaz: Greek Cypriot steps harm climate of security

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz of Turkey has criticized recent actions by the Greek Cypriot administration, asserting that unilateral moves and cooperation with external actors threaten regional stability and the broader security environment in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean. Speaking after a meeting with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Tufan Erhürman, Yılmaz dismissed Greek Cypriot claims that Turkey’s military presence in the island is illegitimate, calling such statements "null and void" and inconsistent with historical and current realities. He emphasized that Turkey’s 1974 intervention, which led to the establishment of the TRNC in 1983, was a response to Greek Cypriot aggression and has since ensured peace and stability for all communities on the island.

Yılmaz highlighted concerns over Greek Cypriot collaboration with Israel and other international actors, which Turkey views as destabilizing, particularly given its opposition to Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip. The Greek Cypriot administration, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, has recently described Cyprus as "occupied" by Turkish forces, a characterization Ankara rejects. Meanwhile, the EU and Greek Cypriot leadership advocate for a federal solution to the Cyprus issue, while Turkey and the TRNC insist on a two-state model based on equal sovereignty.

TRNC President Erhürman reiterated that Turkish Cypriots remain committed to dialogue but reject compromises on their sovereign rights. He praised Türkiye’s diplomatic support in advancing TRNC interests and stressed the importance of coordinated efforts with Ankara. The ongoing division of Cyprus, with Turkey maintaining approximately 35,000 troops in the TRNC, remains a focal point of regional tensions, with implications for energy projects, trade routes, and geopolitical dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean.

For investors and financial stakeholders, the stability of the region is critical to assessing risks in cross-border investments, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation initiatives. The absence of a resolution to the Cyprus issue continues to influence economic planning and security considerations in the broader East-Mediterranean context.