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Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Parliament Speaker Ziya Ozturkler said the Greek Cyprus Administration (GCA) handed over its sovereignty to Israel, negatively affecting regional balance and putting Greek Cyprus in a dangerous situation.
Ozturkler made the remarks during a television program, according to Turkish News Agency Cyprus (TAK).
"The Republic of Cyprus handed its sovereignty to Israel. This negatively affects the balance and puts the Greek Cyprus in a dangerous game," he stated.
Ozturkler recalled that a trilateral military cooperation work plan was signed between Israel, Greece, and the Greek Cyprus, adding, "This situation is not limited to political agreements. Steps are being taken to turn the island into an 'ammunition depot'."
He said the Greek Cyprus' armament activities are not only directed at Turkish Cypriots. "The cooperation with Israel and Greece contains risky calculations for the region," he added.
Ozturkler noted that military personnel arrive on the island under the name of "military training" through agreements with foreign countries. He said they closely follow developments in Paphos, where the Greek Cyprus is located.
The Turkish Cypriot Parliament Speaker also criticized the Greek Cyprus for declaring members of the Greek terror organization EOKA as 'heroes' and recalled statements about "returning to Famagusta."
"Unless respect is shown for the two-state solution and sovereign equality foundation, negotiations cannot progress," he stated, and criticized the Greek Cyprus' EU Council Presidency, stating that the TRNC is a sovereign state and this must be accepted by the international community.
In November 2025, Greek Cyprus leader Nikos Christodoulides opened a "Freedom Museum" in Hloraka, Paphos, displaying materials about the terror organization EOKA. Christodoulides said at the opening: "We owe our freedom to EOKA. We must teach our children and grandchildren about the EOKA struggle."
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Ozturkler lastly emphasized that Turkish military presence on the island is vital for the TRNC, noting, "Turkish forces brought peace, calm, and stability to the island. We will never allow this to be damaged."
He noted that the Security Forces Command and the Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Command conduct operations in coordination with Türkiye, and stressed that the Turkish Cypriot people will continue on the path with "motherland Türkiye."
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