From left, Greece’s Defense Minister Nikolaos Dendias, Belgium’s Defense Minister Theo Francken, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto during a group photo of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday. [Virginia Mayo/AP]
Ankara has again criticized a recent military cooperation agreement between France and the Republic of Cyprus, calling it illegitimate and contrary to international law.
“The agreement signed between France, which does not have guarantor status, and the [Republic of Cyprus] is, in fact, an initiative that lacks legitimacy, disrupts delicate balances, and violates international law,” Turkey’s Defense Minister Yasar Guler told reporters in Brussels after attending the NATO defense ministers’ meeting.
Signed last week, the military cooperation agreement between France and Cyprus provides for the presence of French forces on Cypriot territory for humanitarian purposes.
“It is of utmost importance that actors responsible for ensuring security refrain from steps that will deepen regional tensions; they must prioritize dialogue, cooperation and a shared understanding of security. In this context, we are closely monitoring recent military cooperation initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean and developments that could affect the regional security balance,” he said.
