Turkey Condemns Cyprus-France Military Agreement as Violation of International Law

Turkey expressed strong opposition on Thursday to the military agreement signed on Monday between Paris and Nicosia, which allows French forces to be stationed on Cypriot territory, describing it as a violation of international law.

In a statement, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said the agreement, concluded between France—which does not hold guarantor status in Cyprus—and the Greek Cypriot administration, aims to unilaterally alter the fragile balance on the island. It disregards the will and equal sovereign rights of the Turkish Cypriots and contravenes the 1960 Cyprus agreements as well as international law.

The ministry added that these illegitimate measures, which were implemented without thorough consideration of their consequences, could have serious repercussions for the southern part of the island. It emphasized that Turkey is closely monitoring this provocation intended to destabilize the Eastern Mediterranean.

The agreement was signed in Nicosia on Monday by the French and Cypriot defense ministers following commitments made in April by French President Emmanuel Macron and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to facilitate the deployment of French forces in Cyprus for conducting humanitarian operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

French armed forces have previously used the Mediterranean island as a base for deployment and support during regional crises.

The Turkish ministry reiterated that, as a guarantor country, Turkey will continue to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and ensure its security, as it has done in the past, condemning what it described as hostile stances.

Following the signing of the agreement between Nicosia and Paris, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned on Wednesday that Turkey would respond to any threats against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Addressing members of his Justice and Development Party in parliament, Erdoğan stated, "Let it be clear that our response will be very explicit and very firm if the rights of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean are violated."

The Republic of Cyprus, a member of the European Union, has been divided since 1974 after Turkey invaded its northern part following a coup by Greek Cypriot nationalists who sought union with Greece.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus declared independence in 1983, but Turkey remains the only country to recognize it.