Following the Greek Foreign Ministry’s response, Cyprus has also responded to provocative remarks by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about Greece and Cyprus’ cooperation with Israel, the Cypriot Foreign Ministry says.
In a post, the Cyprus Foreign Ministry rejected Ankara’s provocative claims and said they were aimed at provoking an escalation, noting that it is Turkey itself that illegally occupies sovereign European territory, with tens of thousands of troops in offensive formation.
The post stresses that “the Republic of Cyprus conducts its foreign policy consistently and functions as a useful member of the international community, as an EU member state and as part of the wider region.”
Also, it is made clear that the Republic of Cyprus has no revisionist thoughts, but also no aspirations for regional hegemony and it is stressed:
“These are about others who are attempting, for their own reasons, to provoke and create impressions at a critical regional period. Ignoring the fact that it is Turkey itself that is illegally occupying sovereign European territory, with tens of thousands of troops in offensive formation. Therefore, the recent disorienting statements and allegations, which serve alien purposes of the neighbour and aim to provoke tension, are rejected.”
We recall that the Turkish foreign minister, referring to the cooperation between Greece, Cyprus and Israel, argued that such cooperation “does not enhance trust but creates more mistrust,” adding that “it brings problems and may even lead to war.”
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