Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Condemns US Over Submarine Docked at Greek Cypriot Port
(MENAFN) The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has strongly condemned the United States for anchoring an attack submarine at a port of the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday, accusing the Greek Cypriot administration of disrupting the atmosphere of stability and peace by increasing its arms purchases. The statement also warned against removing the arms sales restrictions imposed by the US on the Greek Cypriot administration, as it could encourage them to take up arms and endanger the security of the Turkish Cypriot people.
The TRNC statement cited pledges made by the Greek Cypriot administration's defense minister, Michalis Giorgallas, to buy US weapon systems, as evidence that the US is helping the Greek Cypriot administration systematically arm itself. The statement also expressed concern over the docking of the USS San Juan attack submarine at a Greek Cypriot seaport, calling it a provocative move.
According to the US Defense Department, the submarine docked at the Southern Cypriot port of Limassol on April 3. Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides reportedly visited the sub on Thursday, according to local media.
The dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots over the island of Cyprus has been ongoing for decades, despite numerous diplomatic efforts by the United Nations to achieve a comprehensive settlement. The conflict dates back to the early 1960s, when ethnic attacks forced Turkish Cypriots to withdraw into enclaves for their safety.
In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at Greece's annexation of the island led to Turkey's military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. As a result, the TRNC was founded in 1983. The situation has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including a failed 2017 initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of guarantor countries Turkey, Greece, and the UK.
The TRNC statement underscores the continuing tensions between the two sides and the potential for further escalation. The Greek Cypriot administration was admitted to the European Union in 2004, despite Greek Cypriots thwarting a UN plan to end the longstanding dispute. The situation remains highly contentious, with both sides claiming sovereignty over the island and its resources.
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