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“NATO documents say that until Turkey gives its approval, under no circumstances can South Cyprus (the Republic of Cyprus) enter NATO,” Erdogan said. Also read: US threatens multiple sanctions against Turkey: ‘F-35 will not be delivered as long as there are Russian S-400s’
“Turkey has a different government than we had when Greece was accepted as a member of NATO. We are here now. They will fail to pass Turkey’s veto,” he continued, as reported by Sputnik on Thursday (22/7/2021).
Cyprus has tried to join NATO since 2011, but its efforts have been consistently blocked by Turkey because, unlike all other alliance members Ankara refuses to recognize the government of the Republic of Cyprus in Nicosia.
Meanwhile, tensions between Ankara and Nicosia themselves escalated after Erdogan and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar unilaterally changed the status of the UN-backed Varosha military zone in Cyprus.
Erdo Tataan and the Tatars’ decision sparked strong criticism from Greek Cypriots, who accuse Ankara of organizing land grabs. Also read: US and NATO Withdraw Troops, ‘wave’ of Afghan Migration Makes Europe Worried
Ankara and the TRNC leader support a two-state solution for the island, while Greek Cypriots support a bizonal and bicommunal federation.
With the participation of both sides and the three guarantor countries namely Turkey, Greece and the UK, negotiations under UN guidance are sometimes held to find a solution to the conflict.
(ian)
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