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More specifically, the State Department on Tuesday proceeded to a new condemnation of the Turkish investigations, noting that their movements Anchor increase tensions and destabilize area.
Washington’s goal is to exist de-escalated and return all parties to the dialogue table and that is why it was emphasized that there can be no dialogue through a show of force.
Before, a clear message of solidarity for Cyprus and Hellas Send to Turkey the EU, with its representative Commission, responsible of External relationships Cases, Peter stano to underline that the EU foreign ministers were clear about the consequences if Turkey’s behavior is not changed.
“The message from the EU was clear in terms of solidarity in Cyprus and Greece and it was clear in terms of what we expect from Turkey to reduce the escalation,” Stano said.
“The ministers were also very clear about it Schedule, “How long do we wait for the change in behavior (of Turkey), since they were also clear about the consequences if there is no change in this behavior that contributes to the escalation of the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
“So the message is clear, the schedules are clear and also the measures are clear and we hope that this will be taken into account by the Turkish partners and friends and that they will start working accordingly so that we do not have to move to the alternative path of the restrictive measures “. , He concluded.
Lifting of the US arms embargo on Cyprus
At the same time, the State Department announced today the partial lifting of the embargo on the sale of US arms in Republic of cyprus.
This measure is part of the well-known “EastMed Act” and will be partial, since the ban on the sale of lethal weapons will remain in force.
The lifting of the embargo worries fiscal year 2020-2021 and it can be renewed.
As the State Department explained, American diplomacy moves along the line by doing and watching, and that is exactly why it does not. abrupt changes but I proceed step by step with careful movements.
In any case, the State Department was quick to clarify that this measure not related to Greece, he Turkey and the aegeanBut it has to do with the strategic enhancement of cooperation with Cyprus, which, as he pointed out, will work in a manner beneficial to both the region and the national security interests of the United States.
Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiadis welcomed the lifting of the US arms embargo on non-lethal weapons, calling it a positive development that further strengthens the bilateral security relationship between Cyprus and the United States.
Mr. Anastasiadis had a telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State. Mike pompeo, at the initiative of the US side.
During the conversation, the two men gave a detailed review of developments in Eastern mediterranean, the risks to peace and stability in the region as a result of challenges Turkey, with Mr. Pompeo’s clear position that the United States recognizes the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and Greece and the urgent need to focus on dialogue, on the basis of International Law as a necessary condition for the creation and consolidation of conditions of stability and peace in the region.
According to a written statement from the representative of the Cyprus government Kyriakos Kousios, Nikos Anastasiadis informed the United States Secretary of State about the illegal turkey stocks in the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus and their threats regarding the problem of the closed city of Famagusta. Anastasiadis highlighted the I need to send clear messages to the Turkish side to prevent the implementation of its illegal plans, which not only contradict the relevant decisions of the UN Security Council, but create even more difficulties in the effort to resume the talks.
During the conversation, Mr. Pompeo informed the President of the Republic of Cyprus about the decision of the United States to lift the embargo imposed in Cyprus in 1987, in the case of non-lethal equipment.
This development, as a common finding, recommends recognition of the role of Cyprus in the region, as well as an indication of the importance given by the two countries in strengthening their bilateral relations, especially in the field of defense and security. This is also confirmed by the progress in these matters after the signing of the Declaration of Intent of the Republic of Cyprus-USA. On November 6, 2018 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Nikos Christodoulidis and the then US Under Secretary of State for European Affairs, Mr. Wes Mitchell.
Pompeo expressed the satisfaction for the cooperation developed between the US and the Republic of Cyprus.
They both finally confirmed it very satisfactory course Cyprus-United States and reaffirmed their common commitment to further deepen cooperation in all areas.
Turkish Foreign Minister condemns lifting of embargo
The decision of U.S for partial lifting of the embargo weapons for them Greek Cypriots, poisons hopes for peace in Eastern mediterranean and it is incompatible with the spirit of the alliance, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said today.
As the announcement underscores: “Today’s US decision to lift the arms embargo against the Greek Cypriot Administration ignore equality and the balance between the two peoples of the island. It is true that this decision will affect efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. “
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry stressed that at a time of ongoing efforts to reduce tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, the United States is making a decision such that it is incompatible with the spirit of the alliance.
“It just came to our knowledge then reconsider “his decision and support existing efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region,” adds the Turkish Foreign Minister’s announcement, warning that in a different case:
“Turkey, as the guarantor country of Cyprus, will resolutely take the necessary measures to guarantee the safety of the Turkish Cypriots in accordance with its legal and historical responsibility.”
Ankara ongoing challenges
The declarations of the representative of the Commission were preceded by new Turkish provocations towards our country but also his “fire” Recep Tayyip Erdogan against France.
“It is fun to see a country drowning in a spoonful of water that wants to hit Turkey in the international arena,” said the Turkish president, referring to Greece.
At the same time, targeting the French president Emanuel MacronThe Turkish president said that “the attempt by some to prevent Turkey from taking its share of the wealth of the Mediterranean, which is the right of every country drenched by it, is a typical example of modern colonialism.”
“The words that politicians and diplomats hear cannot mask the barbarism of countries that believe they are big, strong, rich and invincible.”
Tsavousoglou: If Greece is open to dialogue, so are we
At the same time as the new incendiary statements by the Turkish President, the country’s Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu, Maintains that Turkey is open to dialogue with Greece.
“If Greece is open to solving problems through dialogue, so is Turkey,” Tsavousoglu said, according to Reuters.
At the same time, speaking at a press conference with his Algerian counterpart, Tsavousoglou said that Greece is the one that is trying to provoke Turkey by adopting hostile behavior.
Further, blamed once again Greece, saying: “They said it is a change of forces in Kastelorizo. Greece in these islands may have forces for internal security. And that has a limit. In reality, however, lately Greece in the Aegean and the Mediterranean , after receiving EU support, it is taking provocative steps that violate international law. We have also said in our statements, we do not violate anyone’s law but we do not allow our rights to be violated. These steps will cause harm in Greece. Greece He is not trying to solve the problems, but he wants to challenge us. It is particularly dangerous that the end of this effort provokes us. “And Greece will suffer for this.”
