By Bosphorus News Defense Desk
Türkiye's Defense Ministry warned on September 24 that the Republic of Cyprus's continued arms buildup and military cooperation with third countries could undermine the security balance on the island, three weeks after Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas described Türkiye as a common threat to Cyprus, Greece and Israel.
The ministry did not name Palmas or refer to his September 4 remarks. Addressing recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, it raised both the Republic of Cyprus's military cooperation with third countries and its air-defense capabilities.
"The Greek Cypriot Administration's continuing armament activities and the military cooperation it has developed with third countries could negatively affect the sensitive balances and the environment of trust on the island," the ministry said.
It said such steps did not contribute to trust between the two sides or to peace and stability on Cyprus.
Palmas on September 4 had linked Cyprus's security to the Achilles Shield air-defense project being developed by Greece with Israel.
Bosphorus News reported at the time that Palmas described Achilles Shield as a bilateral Greek-Israeli project while saying its security implications extended to Cyprus.
"To be clear and precise, we mean that all three countries face Turkey as a threat," Palmas said.
He said close political relations and military cooperation at several levels allowed Cyprus, Greece and Israel to coordinate and seek joint "ways and synergies" to address what he described as shared security risks.
Ankara points to air defense
The Defense Ministry also raised the Republic of Cyprus's air-defense capabilities.
It said claims that the air-defense system recently discussed in connection with the Republic of Cyprus did not directly threaten Turkish Cypriots or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus could not justify disregarding what Ankara called the security, legitimate rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots.
The ministry did not identify the system.
Palmas's September 4 remarks concerned Achilles Shield, the multi-layered air-defense project Greece is developing with Israel. He linked the project to Cyprus's security, but the Turkish statement did not say Cyprus was joining Achilles Shield or identify it as the system Ankara was referring to.
Türkiye says measures are being taken
The ministry said developments in the region were being closely monitored and "necessary measures" were being taken.
It also said the Turkish Armed Forces continued their activities and training in the Mediterranean's international waters and airspace.
"Türkiye, as a guarantor country, will continue, as in the past, today and tomorrow, to take the necessary measures in cooperation with the TRNC authorities to protect the security, peace and welfare of the Turkish Cypriot people," the ministry said.
The ministry did not mention Palmas by name, but its September 24 statement addressed the two issues at the center of his remarks: Cyprus's air defenses and military cooperation with third countries.
Sources: Turkish Ministry of National Defense, Cyprus News Agency, Bosphorus News review and reporting