Turkey warns Greece, Cyprus not to engage in arms race: What to know
Ankara is alarmed by Greece's military modernization, Cyprus’ shift to Western arms and expanding Greece-Cyprus-Israel defense ties.
ANKARA — Turkey warned Greece and Cyprus on Thursday against what it described as an arms race in the Aegean Sea and the eastern Mediterranean, saying it was closely monitoring their military activities and would protect Turkey and Turkish Cypriots.
Details: The Turkish Defense Ministry said Thursday that the Turkish military is taking “all necessary measures” for the security of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Ankara.
“What our region needs is not arms races and steps that will increase tensions, but the strengthening of cooperation and dialogue on the basis of international law,” a statement by the ministry read.
Ankara is increasingly uneasy over recent Greek and Cypriot military activity in the eastern Mediterranean, including Cyprus’ reported procurement of Israeli air defense systems and expanding defense cooperation among Greece, Cyprus and Israel.
