America, which turned Greece into an arms depot, has now lifted the arms embargo against the Greeks. The US State Department announced that they have lifted the arms embargo against the Greek Cypriot Administration for the 2023 fiscal year. State Department spokesman Ned Price announced that Washington's international arms trade regulations will be changed "to reflect the new policy," effective October 1, 2022.
THE NEW TARGET OF THE USA IS THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTH CYPRUS
In the statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), reacting to the decision of the USA to lift the arms embargo against the Greek Cypriot Administration for the 2023 fiscal year, "It is clear who is the target of the weapons and military equipment that the US administration will sell to the Greek Cypriot side," it was stated.
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ned Price made a written statement that they lifted the arms embargo imposed by the USA on the Greek Cypriot Administration for one year.
Spokesperson Ned Price used the following statements in the statement:
"Foreign Minister Antony Blinken determined that the Republic of Cyprus (GCA) fulfilled the necessary conditions under the relevant legislation to allow the approval of re-exports and transfers of defense materials in the 2023 fiscal year and notified the Congress. Eligibility is evaluated annually. As a result of this determination and documentation, the Minister lifted the defense trade restrictions for the Republic of Cyprus (GCA) in the 2023 fiscal year."
The spokesperson noted that Washington's international arms trade regulations will be changed "to reflect the new policy," effective October 1, 2022. Under the 2019 Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act and the 2020 Fiscal Year National Defense Authorization Act, the export restriction of the US defense products to the Greek Cypriot administration was subject to two conditions. According to these two laws, the US President reported to the Congress that the Greek Cypriot Administration was cooperating with the US in its efforts to make regulations to combat money laundering and to implement reforms to control it, and to prevent the entry of Russian warships into its ports for refueling and service. The relevant embargoes are lifted on an annual basis if they report that they have taken and continue to take the necessary steps once a year.
"We strongly condemn the expansion of the scope of the decision taken by the USA in September 2020 to lift the arms embargo against the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA)," Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
In a written statement made by the Ministry, it was emphasized that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) authorities' reaction to the said decision was fully supported.
Expressing its strong condemnation of the expansion of the scope of the decision taken by the USA in September 2020 to lift the arms embargo against the Greek Cypriot Administration, it was stated that the said decision would negatively affect the resolution of the Cyprus issue.
"This decision, which contradicts the principle of equality of the two sides on the island and will make the Greek side more intransigent, will negatively affect the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue; It will lead to an arms race on the island and harm peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. We invite the USA to review this decision and to follow a balanced policy towards the two sides on the Island," the statement added.
“USA IS PLAYING WITH FIRE”
Ersin Tatar, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), reacted to the US decision to lift the arms embargo against the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA).
"While the Greek Cypriot Administration of Cyprus continues its intensive arming activities against Turkey and the TRNC, which it sees as the "enemy", the decision of the USA to lift the arms embargo on Southern Cyprus is unacceptable and we strongly condemn this decision," Tatar said.
President Tatar, in his written statement regarding the decision of the USA to lift the arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot Administration, "While the Greek Cypriot Administration of Cyprus continues its intensive arming activities against Turkey and the TRNC, which it sees as the "enemy", the decision of the USA to lift the arms embargo on Southern Cyprus is unacceptable and we strongly condemn this decision," he added.
Noting that the TRNC and Turkey maintain their positive attitude towards the solution of the Cyprus issue, Tatar noted that this decision taken by the USA will not contribute to the resolution of the Cyprus issue, but will further encourage the Greek Cypriots, who continue their uncompromising stance, and will cause great tensions in Cyprus and the region.