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The speaker of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) parliament stated on Monday that Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides is surrendering sovereignty to Israel, claiming airports and military bases in the south are now under Israeli control.
"Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides has handed the reins to Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu," Parliamentary Speaker Ziya Ozturkler said during a meeting with the Cyprus Turkish Civil Servants Union's new board in Nicosia, according to a written statement from the parliament.
Ozturkler stated that the Greek Cypriot administration's sovereignty has become "questionable," asserting that airports and military bases in the southern part of Cyprus are now controlled by Israel.
"We must be very careful during this period. We all see Netanyahu's aggressive attitude," Ozturkler said, adding, "Starting from here, an E.U. member country surrendering its sovereignty is also Brussels' problem."
The parliamentary speaker argued that by giving control of airports and military bases to Israel, Christodoulides has made Greek Cypriot sovereignty "controversial."
Ozturkler also expressed support for Turkish Cyprus President Ersin Tatar's two-state solution vision, emphasizing that Turkish Cypriots have evolved from being considered a "community" to becoming a "people."
He stressed the need to escape from the federation-based spiral despite what he called the Greek Cypriot side's "oppressive mentality," and underscored that Türkiye's guarantorship and the presence of Turkish Armed Forces on the island are "indispensable."
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, with the TRNC recognized only by Türkiye, while the Greek Cypriot administration in the south is internationally recognized and holds E.U. membership since 2004.
Separately, the Indian Navy's guided-missile frigate INS Trikand arrived at Limassol port for a joint naval exercise with Greek Cypriot forces, according to Greek Cypriot media reports and a statement from India's High Commission in the Greek Cypriot administration.
The Talwar-class frigate is scheduled to participate in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Greek Cypriot naval forces on Sept. 24, after being opened to public visits on Sept. 23. The vessel is expected to depart the region following the exercise.
Some Greek Cypriot newspapers reported that a Greek Navy vessel would also participate in the passage exercise alongside forces from the Greek Cypriot administration and India.
The Indian warship's visit is considered part of defense cooperation agreed upon during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's June visit to southern Cyprus, which included provisions for joint naval exercises and Indian naval vessel visits to Cypriot ports.
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