The Turkish Foreign Ministry has condemned a recent roadmap on defence cooperation signed between the US and the Greek Cypriot administration, saying that Washington’s action undermines its neutral stance and regional stability.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it backs the position of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the issue.

The ministry noted that the steps taken by American authorities harm the security of TRNC and make it more difficult to come to a just, lasting and sustainable solution to the Cyprus question.

“Within this framework, we believe that policies that could undermine regional stability should be reconsidered,” the ministry said, adding that Ankara would continue to ensure the security and prosperity of Turkish Cypriots as the guarantor state.

The US and Greek Cypriot administrations inked a roadmap to boost defence cooperation.

Washington enacted an arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot side in 1987 to prevent a potential arms race from harming peace talks with Turkish Cypriots but lifted it last year.