Top officials of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) slammed a decision by the US on Tuesday to partially lift an arms embargo on Greek Cypriots.
“US DECISION WAS NOT A STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION”
Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed Nicos Anastasiades, the leader of the Southern Greek Cypriot administration, about the partial lifting of the US arms embargo on Southern Cyprus and discussed their “deepening” security relationship.
Speaking to US ambassador to Greek Cyprus Judith Gail Garber by phone, TRNC President Mustafa Akinci said the decision “was not a step in the right direction,” according to a statement from the presidential office.
In the phone conversation initiated by Garber, Akinci stressed that the decision would not encourage the Greek side to reach a comprehensive solution in Cyprus and would not serve peace, but on the contrary would help the Greek side stay away from the negotiation table.
Akinci underlined that it is necessary not to contribute to armament efforts in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean but to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation.