"There is no change in our responsibilities on the issue of guarantees in Cyprus, we are at the same point we were in 1974," Turkish Defence Minister Houloussi Akar said, adding that "what other countries do is their own business." He also said that negotiations between Greece and Turkey are not progressing.
In an interview with the Turkish newspaper Milliet, the Turkish minister said "we respect international law in our relations with Greece and we are always in favour of good neighbourly relations. We want our existing problems to be resolved by peaceful means and methods."
In this context, he said, "exploratory contacts, de-escalation procedures and meetings on MoUs are being held. We say let's do this through three channels. But it is not going forward."
He argued that "e are right a million times over about the problems with Greece. No country in the world has 6 miles of territorial waters and 10 miles of airspace. 16 islands were armed in violation of the Lausanne Treaty. Greece continues its provocative actions and rhetoric, which increases at certain times."
Akar reiterated his criticism of Greece, saying that "we react in the same way to Greece's violations. We say to talk, to discuss, to solve the problems through dialogue, but we always stress that we will not allow any fait accompli and that we will not allow the violation of our own rights or those of our Cypriot brothers and sisters. We are determined and capable of preventing this."
He argued that "with this armament effort Greece is assuming a serious economic cost." "Their financial situation is, after all, well known. Under these circumstances, they must see that the financial burden and the damage that such an excessive arms race will bring will fall on the backs of the people of neighboring Greece."
"If they are doing this for Turkey it is not enough, if they are doing it for their defense it is unnecessary."
"If they are doing this for Turkey it is not enough, if they are doing it for their defense it is unnecessary. We say hold out the hand of friendship that we extend, but because they know we are right, they don't come to the table, they leave. Turkey's friendship is important," he said.
Akar also said that "we will always be one step ahead for peace. Turkey is the guarantor of peace and stability both in the region and in the world, it is not a threat to anyone, on the contrary, our country is a reliable, strong and effective ally."
He reiterated that "we have guarantor rights under agreements in Cyprus. What the other guarantor countries will do, they know, but we are not complacent about it. There is no change in our responsibilities, we are in the same place we were in 1974."
"We will protect the rights and law of our Cypriot brothers and sisters. The action of our Cypriot brothers in coordination with Turkey is very important," he said."
Source: CNA
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