Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the US

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the US Department of Defence for including the South Cyprus administration in the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Programme.

In a foreign ministry statement, it said, "We strongly condemn the US Department of Defence for including South Cyprus in the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program within the US Department of Defence." The statement has also been supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in North Cyprus.

Türkiye states that no excuse could be put forward for the new step by the US, which lifted the arms embargo on South Cyprus two weeks ago, the statement read.

It also added, “With this step, the USA has gone beyond threatening the balance between the two sides on the island and has proved to become a party to one side.

With such steps, the US loses its ability to play a constructive role in the process of reaching a just, permanent, and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue.” the statement noted.

Emphasizing the guarantor status of Türkiye, the statement said that all necessary steps will continue to be taken to ensure the security of the Turkish Cypriot people.