Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence strongly condemned the intervention of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) on the construction of the Pile-Yiğitler road on August 18, and emphasized once again that Türkiye stands by the Turkish Cypriot people.

Ministry sources stated that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will decide whether or not road work will continue in the area.

The Turkish Ministry of National Defence Press and Public Relations Advisor Navy Captain Zeki Aktürk held a press briefing at the Turkish Ministry and emphasized that the Turkish Armed Forces will continue to protect the rights and interests of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the Aegean and Mediterranean without compromise.

Stating that Türkiye is in favour of solving all problems through peaceful methods, mutual respect and dialogue in accordance with international law, good neighbourly relations and the spirit of alliance, and that it exerts great efforts towards this end, Aktürk said, “We strongly condemn the unacceptable intervention and biased attitude of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the construction of the Pile-Yiğitler road in the sovereign territory of the TRNC”.

“As a guarantor state, we stand by our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters today as we have done in the past within the framework of international agreements and legitimate rights arising from international law” said Aktürk.