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Türkiye's Ministry of National Defense (MoND) said Thursday that no initiative that ignores the rights of Turkish Cypriots, or disrupts the existing sensitive balance on the island, would be acceptable to Türkiye. The ministry declared that the security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is inseparable from Türkiye's own.
"Any initiative that disregards the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and aims to disrupt the current delicate balance on the island is unacceptable to Türkiye," the ministry said.
"The security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is Türkiye's security," the ministry added.
The statement came in response to journalists' questions following the ministry's weekly press briefing at the Land Forces Command, held on the occasion of the 2,235th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Land Forces.
Asked about media reports originating from Greek Cypriot press, claiming that the U.N. secretary-general's personal envoy had prepared a new plan to resolve the Cyprus issue, and that the plan would be opened for consultation with the Greek Cypriot administration (GCA) and the TRNC, the ministry addressed the matter directly.
The ministry said a permanent, fair, and sustainable solution on the island is only possible on the basis of a two-state solution grounded in the affirmation of the Turkish Cypriot people's sovereign equality and equal international status.
"Any initiative put forward while disregarding this fundamental reality will neither reflect the will of the Turkish Cypriot people nor provide lasting stability in the region," the statement said.
"Our country's position on the resolution of the Cyprus issue is clear, unambiguous, and unchanged. Any initiative that disregards the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and aims to disrupt the current delicate balance on the island is unacceptable to Türkiye," the statement added.
"The security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is Türkiye's security," the MoND said.
"As was the case yesterday, our determination to protect the security, peace, and prosperity of the Turkish Cypriot people remains complete today and will remain so tomorrow. As a guarantor state, our country will continue to be the guarantor of peace, security, and stability in Cyprus, within the framework of its legitimate rights and powers derived from international agreements and international law," the ministry noted.
Separately, the ministry said a German-owned Patriot air defense system had been deployed in Kurecik, Malatya province, as part of NATO's Permanent Defense Plan to strengthen the alliance's air defenses.
The ministry said the German system replaced a U.S. Patriot air defense system that had previously been stationed in the same area on June 24.
The ministry said the aircraft procurement process being carried out to meet the air force's requirements remains on schedule.
According to current planning, two C-130J aircraft are expected to join the inventory by the end of the year, with deliveries of the remaining aircraft to take place gradually under the established procurement program.
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