Türkiye

TRNC Sound the Alarm: Üstel Decries Greek Cypriot 'Arms Race' as Türkiye Pledges Unwavering Support

By Bosphorus News ·
TRNC Sound the Alarm: Üstel Decries Greek Cypriot 'Arms Race' as Türkiye Pledges Unwavering Support

In a pivotal meeting held in Ankara on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel issued a stern warning regarding the escalating tension on the island, directly accusing the Greek Cypriot administration of launching a "constant arms race" while attempting to undermine the economic stability of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Meeting with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, PM Üstel stated that while the Turkish Cypriot side remains committed to finding a fair solution through agreement, the actions of the South reflect a different agenda.

“The Greek Cypriot administration in southern Cyprus is considering going from Nicosia to Karpasia and planting the Greek flag there,” Üstel said, a statement that underscores the profound divide over the island's future. He stressed that his coalition government is working tirelessly to “raise the TRNC flag higher in the skies” by prioritizing the growth of key sectors including tourism, industry, and agriculture.

Türkiye Vows Comprehensive Economic Shield

Vice President Yılmaz echoed Üstel’s concerns and reinforced Türkiye's commitment to the Turkish Cypriot state, stating that Ankara views the development and progress of the TRNC as “an integral part of the Cyprus issue.”

Yılmaz promised that Türkiye would continue to provide all necessary support to help the North “produce more, increase its prosperity, and walk more firmly into its future on its own two feet.”

A major agenda point was the impending financial protocol between Ankara and Nicosia. The two officials discussed finalizing an agreement that will address economic challenges, particularly in the manufacturing and construction sectors, by providing essential long-term, low-interest loans. Yılmaz confirmed the next protocol would be tailored to the TRNC's current needs and pledged to visit the island again once Türkiye’s 2026 state budget is formally passed.

The RoC’s Escalating Militarization Drive

The Turkish Cypriot government’s alarm over the “arms race” is rooted in a series of significant military procurements and infrastructure upgrades recently announced by the Republic of Cyprus (RoC), often backed by massive EU and US funding mechanisms.

Recent data confirms that the RoC is undertaking its most ambitious defense upgrade in decades, shifting its military architecture toward Western allies. Key developments bolstering Üstel’s claims include:

  • New Air Defence Systems: The RoC took delivery of the Israeli-made Barak MX air defence system, designed to defend against advanced threats including anti-ship missiles, drones, and combat jets.
  • Massive EU Funding: Cyprus secured an unprecedented low-interest loan of up to €1.2 billion through the European Union's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence procurement program. This funding is dedicated to modernizing equipment, including anti-tank missiles, drones, and advanced communications systems, with initial disbursements expected in early 2026.
  • Infrastructure Overhaul: The government has publicly announced plans to significantly upgrade two critical military facilities: the Evangelos Florakis naval base at Mari and the Andreas Papandreou airbase in Paphos. The Mari naval base upgrade alone is projected to cost in excess of €200 million.
  • Budgetary Commitment: The Ministry of Defence's proposed spending for 2025 stands at €628.1 million, marking a substantial year-on-year increase that reflects the government’s stated priority of strengthening the country’s “deterrent power.”
  • Western Pivot: In recent years, the RoC has increasingly replaced legacy Russian military hardware with Western systems, notably procuring Airbus H145M light attack helicopters and signing an agreement with France for 40 Mistral anti-aircraft missiles. This pivot is coupled with strengthened military ties with the United States, granting Cyprus access to US military hardware and cooperation programs.

RoC Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas has previously defended the acquisitions as a "self-evident right to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty" against the backdrop of the continued presence of Turkish troops on the island. However, Ankara and the TRNC view this accelerated and high-profile militarization as a destabilizing factor that risks torpedoing any future diplomatic resolution efforts.