The move will only hamper peaceful settlement efforts on divided island, Turkish Foreign Ministry says
Turkey said late on Tuesday that a US decision to scrap a decades-old arms embargo on Cyprus would make for a “dangerous escalation”.
The move “will have no outcome other than hampering efforts towards a settlement on the island and creating a dangerous escalation,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The warning followed a Congress vote on the measure, which came as part of a large defense spending bill that is now expected to be signed into law by US President Trump.
Play Video
The embargo was imposed in 1987, to prevent further escalation of the conflict gripping the Mediterranean island.
Greece and Turkey have been up in arms over Cyprus since 1974, when the Turkish army invaded the island nation in response to a coup orchestrated by the Greek military.
Recently, the EU approved a framework for sanctions on Turkey over its oil and gas exploration projects in Cypriot waters.
The ties between the US and Turkey are also on a low point, with Washington fuming over Ankara’s recent military incursion in Syria and acquisition of Russian-made S-400 air defense systems.
About The Author
