Turkey's foreign ministry has formally objected to Washington's decision to extend the lifting of its arms embargo on Cy...

Turkey's foreign ministry has formally objected to Washington's decision to extend the lifting of its arms embargo on Cyprus for another year, through September 30, 2027. Ankara's statement claims the move could increase tensions on the island and undermine trust between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Turkey also aligned itself with a separate statement from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Turkey. The Turkish foreign ministry framed the decision as destabilizing, arguing that the Greek Cypriot side has been intensifying pressure on Turkish Cypriots and conducting what it called heavy arms activities that threaten regional stability. Turkey described Turkish Cypriots as "co-owners" of the island, a position rejected by the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus, the European Union, and the United Nations. Ankara closed its statement by reaffirming its role as what it calls the "mother country and guarantor power" for Turkish Cypriots, vowing to protect their interests under any circumstances and to continue pushing for international recognition of the breakaway northern state. The US first lifted the decades-old arms embargo on Cyprus in 2022, reversing a Cold War-era policy that had prevented the Republic of Cyprus from purchasing American weapons. The embargo was originally imposed in 1987. Extensions have been renewed annually since then, with this latest renewal pushing the timeline to late 2027. Cyprus has been divided since Turkey's 1974 military invasion, which left the northern third of the island under Turkish military control. Roughly 35,000 Turkish troops remain stationed there today. #Cyprus #Greece #Turkey