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Turkey’s continued hot days in the eastern Mediterranean came astonishing news from the United States.
In the draft defense budget known as the “National Defense Authorization Act of 2020”, the message was given that the 33-year arms embargo imposed on southern Cyprus could be lifted with an article submitted in late 2019.
However, the Greek embargo in the eastern Mediterranean where Turkey attracted attention coinciding with the disagreement.
“INDEPENDENT OF THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN AGENDA”
According to the news on the Ekathimerini news website, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo personally called the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration, Nicos Anastasiadis, about the lifting of the 33-year-old arms embargo.
After the meeting, US officials were said to have announced the news to some Greek journalists.
The report emphasized that lifting the embargo will only apply to non-lethal weapons.
It was also stated that the embargo will be lifted for one year for now, but this period can be extended later if desired.
It was also reported that US officials told the Greek press that lifting the embargo is independent of the agenda in the Eastern Mediterranean.
After the news was made public, Greek leader Anastasiadis, who tweeted, expressed appreciation for the lifting of the embargo.
TURKEY’S RESPONSE TO THE US
The statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs included the following statements:
* The decision of the United States to lift the arms embargo against the Greek Cypriot Administration today (September 1) ignores the equality and balance between the two peoples of the island.
* It is true that this decision will negatively affect efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.
* In a period in which efforts are being made to reduce tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, the signing of the United States of a decision that poisons the environment of peace and stability in the region is incompatible with the spirit of alliance.
* We hope that the United States will review this decision and support existing efforts to establish peace and stability in the region.
* Otherwise, Turkey, as the guarantor country, will take decisive action in order to fulfill the legal and historical responsibility of the Turkish Cypriot people in order to ensure the security of Kabul.
TRNC ANNOUNCEMENT
TRNC Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said the following in his statement:
* It is a wrong decision for the United States to lift the restriction on the sale of arms to the Greek side from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. To make such a decision at a time when the Greek-Greek provocations in the region were increasing, it did not suit a permanent member of the UN Security Council like the United States.
* It is clear that this decision will not contribute to peace, but to the conflict on the Greek side. I condemn the US and I invite you to return from this mistake immediately. But everyone should know that Turkey and TRNC will never renounce the rights they support.
* What you have to do is not increase tension, but come to peace by seeing the facts.
HISTORY OF EMBARGON
United States, threatening the life of the Greek uprising of then started in 1974 by Turkey Republic of Cyprus to the arms embargo with both in Turkey then called after the Peace Operation of the Turks living and of the island occurred in the Cypriot administration I would have made the decision.
The arms embargo imposed on Turkey was abolished by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
The United States made a new embargo decision to cover the entire island in 1987, and with this decision, the Turkish minority with a Greek majority had planned to live on the island peacefully.
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