TRNC Reaction to US Decision on Southern Cyprus

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller made a written statement that the US arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot administration has been lifted for one year.

Noting that Foreign Minister Antony Blinken determined that the Greek Cypriot Administration met the necessary conditions under the relevant legislation to allow re-exports and transfers of defense materials to be approved in fiscal year 2024, Miller stated that compliance with the conditions is evaluated annually.

Miller reported that as a result of this determination and documentation, Minister Blinken lifted defense trade restrictions for Southern Cyprus in FY2024.

The spokesperson noted that Washington’s international arms trade regulations will be changed to reflect the new policy, effective October 1, 2023.

Miller shared the information that this determination does not represent a change, but merely a “redocumentation of the FY 2023 determination.”

TRNC REACTION

In a written statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), it was stated that the US Foreign Ministry’s decision to lift the arms embargo against the Greek Cypriot administration was extended for a year. from October 1, 2023 to October 1, 2024, saying: “The US administration, despite all our efforts, cannot accept that the Greek Cypriot side’s pro-weapon position will continue to gain momentum. at the expense of disturbing the delicate balance of the island. This move has made us question the sincerity of the US administration regarding the importance it attaches to the stability of the Island and the region, at a time when the Greek Cypriot side has increased its military cooperation with many countries. . expressions were used.

In the statement, it was emphasized that visits by US warships to ports of the Greek Cypriot administration for various reasons were met with concern by the TRNC, and that the continuation of port visits was of concern for the maintenance of the peace and stability. in Cyprus and encouraged military provocations by the Greek Cypriot administration in the region.

Calling on the United States to avoid provocative steps in the defense field under the guise of cooperation with the Greek Cypriots, and to observe the delicate balances on the island and the region, the statement read: “In light of these actions , we continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Turkish Cypriot people, as always, together with the Motherland Turkey. We reiterate that we will.” statement was included.

REMOVAL OF EXPORT RESTRICTION TO GARY

Under the Eastern Mediterranean Energy and Security Partnership Act of 2019 and the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, the removal of the export restriction of US defense products to southern Cyprus was subject to to two conditions.

Pursuant to these two laws, the President of the US informed Congress that the GCA cooperated with the US in its efforts to make regulations to combat money laundering and to implement reforms to control it and prevent the entry of Russian warships in their ports for refueling and servicing The corresponding embargoes are lifted annually if they report that they have taken and continue to take the necessary measures once a year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs annually examines the compliance of the situation of the Greek Cypriot administration with the above-mentioned laws and reports it to the Congress. (AA)