The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a written statement on Sunday condemning the signing of an agreement between the National Guard of the State of New Jersey and the Ministry of Defence of the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA) within the framework of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, under the scope of the U.S. Department of Defence, following the GCA’s inclusion in this program last October.

“We support the statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on this issue” the Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said.

“The US, disrupted the balance on the island of Cyprus to the detriment of the Turkish Cypriots in 2022 by lifting the arms embargo on the GCA. These last steps are also encouraging the Greek Cypriot side’s armament” the Ministry noted.

“We call on the US to reconsider this policy, which in no way serves the stability of the region, and to contribute to a just, lasting and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue” it added.

“We hope the Greek Cypriot side will comprehend the fact that Türkiye, as a motherland and guarantor, will never allow any harm to come to the Turkish Cypriots. We emphasize that we will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the Turkish Cypriot people” Turkish Foreign Ministry stressed.