Üstel: Southern Cyprus Is Being Turned Into a Military Base Step by Step

Üstel said the decision was a direct national security issue for the Turkish Cypriot people.

He said every step that facilitates the Republic of Cyprus’ military build-up threatens the security of the Turkish Cypriot people, the strategic balance on the island and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. He added that the world was entering an increasingly insecure period, wars were spreading across the region and the Eastern Mediterranean was rapidly becoming militarized.

Üstel said the instability created by Israel’s aggressive policies was now directly affecting Cyprus’ security, adding that the Greek Cypriot administration had chosen military build-up rather than reducing tensions in the region.

He said the Republic of Cyprus was purchasing new weapons systems, deploying Israeli-made air defence systems and deepening military cooperation between Israel and France. He also said Greece was deploying fighter jets and military assets to the Republic of Cyprus.

Üstel said new military agreements had been signed and the presence of foreign armies on the island was increasing.

“It is impossible to view all of this as ordinary defence measures or innocent preparations. Southern Cyprus is being turned into a military base step by step,” he said.

Üstel said the militarization of the island directly threatened the security of the Turkish Cypriot people and the delicate balance in the Eastern Mediterranean, adding that the next decade could be a period of very serious security risks.

“MY DUTY IS TO TELL MY PEOPLE THE TRUTH”

“My duty is to tell my people the truth. That is why I am laying the facts out clearly,” Üstel said.

He also said the Greek Cypriot administration was not acting solely in the military sphere, claiming that economic interests were being targeted through legal means and that the property issue had been turned into a political and economic weapon.

Üstel claimed that businesspeople, investors and citizens were being intimidated with threats of international arrest warrants, arguing that the aim was to undermine the investment climate and weaken the economy.

“IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS ARE ALSO TAKING PLACE IN THE BLUE HOMELAND”

Üstel said highly significant developments were also taking place in what he called the “Blue Homeland,” with a new power struggle unfolding over maritime jurisdiction areas, energy resources and transportation routes.

He said the government was closely monitoring all developments, adding that talks with Turkey were not limited to roads, hospitals, energy and economic projects.

Üstel said increasing security risks in the region were also being discussed with Turkey, adding that changing military balances in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Greek Cypriot administration’s military build-up and developments in the “Blue Homeland” were being closely assessed.

He said work was underway on the steps that needed to be taken to protect the security of the people and the state.

“There are extremely serious developments taking place. When the time comes, we will share the necessary information with our people,” Üstel said.

“NECESSARY MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN”

Üstel said the state was closely monitoring developments, carrying out the necessary assessments and taking the necessary measures.

Emphasizing that they were acting in full coordination with Turkey, Üstel said security would not be left to the goodwill of the other side.

“We will not allow Turkey’s effective and de facto guarantee to be called into question. We will not allow the presence of Turkish troops on the island to become a subject of negotiation. We will not give up our sovereignty, our state or the security of our people,” he said.

“OUR NATIONAL POLICIES MUST CONTINUE WITHOUT COMPROMISE”

Üstel said the current period was not a time for political adventures, but rather a period requiring a strong state, political stability and determined leadership.

He said cooperation with Turkey must continue without interruption and national policies must be pursued without compromise, stressing that the security of the Turkish Cypriot people must be placed above day-to-day political calculations.

Üstel said this was where the difference of the National Unity Party (UBP) emerged, adding that the party stood by the state, defended sovereign equality and regarded Turkey’s role as guarantor and the presence of Turkish troops as indispensable.

Concluding his statement, Üstel said: “Because in this geography, the political guarantee of security is the National Unity Party. The address of the national stance is the National Unity Party. The will that will protect the state and future of the Turkish Cypriot people is the National Unity Party.”