A few hours after the Biden-Erdoğan meeting, the Turkish Ministry of Defence, in a briefing, challenges the meeting, indicating that the issues of the Eastern Mediterranean were indeed not discussed.
The paradoxical arguments invoked by the Turkish Ministry of Defence include the position that Cyprus is «Turkey's national issue».
The briefing of the Turkish MoD in translation:
The Turkish Armed Forces continue to protect the rights and interests of our country and the TRNC in the Aegean and the Mediterranean. Turkey remains a guarantor of peace and security on the island of Cyprus, in accordance with international guarantees and coalition agreements.
Despite our appeals in the context of good neighbourly relations, Greece continues its actions violating the demilitarization regime of the East Aegean islands, contrary to its obligations under international agreements.
As of early 2021, he has committed 2,061 violations in these islands with the presence of warships and fighter planes.
The fact that Greece, which fails to fulfil its obligations from the agreements, while claiming to own the rights arising from them, is a distortion of international law.
The necessary steps shall be taken through diplomatic channels initiatives against Greece's illegal, provocative and aggressive stance and the necessary response is given in the field in the context of reciprocity.
Again, Greece's attitude of forming alliances within the Alliance by seeking arms and support with other countries within NATO is damaging both the spirit of NATO solidarity and bilateral relations.
Our expectation from Greece.
- To abandon the intransigent, illegal attitude and its attempts to involve third parties in problems,
- Sincerely engage in an effort to resolve problems through dialogue and peaceful methods based on good neighbourly relations on the basis of international law.
Another important issue is the situation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the island. It must be made clear that a solution is not possible with the methods that have been tried so far and that all parties have not seen results, and that negotiations cannot proceed without accepting that there are two equal, sovereign and independent states in Cyprus.
In Cyprus, two states based on sovereign equality, living side by side and cooperating is the only solution.
The adoption of this solution by the Greek Cypriot administration will be beneficial to the peace and prosperity of the island.
We would like to stress once again that Cyprus is our national issue. In accordance with the guarantees and alliance agreements, we stand by our Cypriot brothers and sisters today, as we have in the past. As a guarantor country, Turkey will continue to be the guarantor of peace, tranquility and security in Cyprus within the framework of international agreements and legitimate rights under international law.”.
