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Greek Cyprus' NATO membership 'unacceptable’: Turkish Defense Ministry

The flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (R) and the flag of the Republic of Türkiye (L) side by side in the same shot. (AA Photo)
The flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (R) and the flag of the Republic of Türkiye (L) side by side in the same shot. (AA Photo)
November 28, 2024 03:00 PM GMT+03:00

The Turkish National Defense Ministry stated that the prospect of Greek Cyprus joining NATO is "unacceptable". The declaration came during a press conference on Thursday, following reports that Greek Cyprus had allegedly expressed interest in joining the alliance.

The Turkish Defense Ministry told the Turkish press, “Türkiye, as a NATO member country, reminds that the enlargement decisions of the alliance are taken unanimously and argues that these processes should be carried out by taking into account the national security concerns of any country.”

“In the current situation, the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus' application for NATO membership is an unacceptable development for Türkiye. This initiative will upset the delicate balance in the Cyprus issue and adversely affect the negotiation processes for a solution.”

Aerial view of the city of Lefkosa (Nicosia), Turkish Cyprus. (Adobe Stock Photo)
Aerial view of the city of Lefkosa (Nicosia), Turkish Cyprus. (Adobe Stock Photo)

Greek Cyprus does not provide clarification

Greek newspaper Kathimerini leaked that the Southern Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides met with outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden on Oct. 30 to discuss its NATO bid, among other issues.

Christodoulides has yet to provide any clarification on how to receive a greenlight from Ankara. U.N. talks over divided Cyprus are nevertheless expected to resume in the upcoming weeks.

The flags of Greece, Greek Cyprus, Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) fly above security outposts. (AFP Photo)
The flags of Greece, Greek Cyprus, Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) fly above security outposts. (AFP Photo)
November 28, 2024 03:00 PM GMT+03:00
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