The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a statement on the violation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) airspace by French warplanes and strongly condemned the violation.

The Ministry called on all relevant parties, especially France, who encourage the Greek Cypriot side in the military field, to immediately give up their actions that will jeopardize the security of the region and to act with common sense.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement on the violation of TRNC airspace by French warplanes.

In the statement, it was stated that French warplanes stationed in Paphos within the scope of the Defense Cooperation Agreement signed between the Greek Cypriot Administration of South Cyprus and France in 2017 violated the TRNC airspace on December 20 at the risk of endangering human life and flew low in the Lefke region.

“We strongly condemn this violation of France, which has caused great concern among our people,” the statement said, adding that the Greek Cypriot side made military agreements with the lie that the island was under a ‘security threat’ and increased the tension in the region.

The statement emphasized that this support and military cooperation given to the Greek Cypriot Administration under the guise of strategic partnership will never be allowed to threaten the peace and security of the Turkish Cypriot people.

“Once again, we call on all relevant parties, especially France, who are encouraging the Greek Cypriot side in the military field, to immediately abandon actions that will jeopardize the security of the region and to act with common sense,” the statement said.