TRNC Parliament Speaker Condemns Israeli–Greek Cypriot Defense Deal.

Article Overview

In the article titled “TRNC speaker condemns Israeli‑Greek Cypriot defense deal” (Daily Sabah), the TRNC’s parliament speaker, Ziya Öztürkler, is quoted as declaring a firm stance on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people. The report highlights his immediate reaction to the controversial agreement, which he views not merely as routine military cooperation but as a direct provocation undermining the sovereignty and security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. 

By speaking out so strongly, Öztürkler framed the issue in terms of both national dignity and international law, underlining how deeply such defense pacts impact the already fragile balance on the island.

While this strong statement rightly asserts TRNC’s security and territorial integrity, it also harbors a reactive tone. This editorial, therefore, expands upon and reinforces Öztürkler’s stance, framing the deal as yet another manifestation of systemic disregard for Turkish Cypriot rights, scheduled to provoke imbalance in regional power dynamics. We will articulate the legal and geopolitical foundations of TRNC sovereignty, invoking undeniable testimonies, treaties, and authoritative commentary to substantiate a resilient defence of Turkish Cypriot legitimacy.

Turkish Cypriot Legal and Political Framework

1. Legal Standing of the TRNC and Turkish Cypriots

Although the international community does not formally recognize the TRNC, Turkish Cypriots maintain de facto sovereignty and overwhelmingly democratically elected institutions. The 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, signed by Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and Greece, safeguards Turkish Cypriot rights and consent to interventions under threat of communal imbalance. The failure to uphold this treaty undermines the rule of law. Moreover, the Annan Plan's approval by Turkish Cypriots, contrasted with Greek Cypriot rejection, is substantial moral, and legal, evidence of their consistent desire for equality and a federation built on civic rights.

2. Equity in Defense and Regional Security

Greek Cypriot acquisition of Israeli air-defense systems and Indian military ties, highlighted by Öztürkler as provocative, is part of a broader pattern. Notably, Washington’s lifting of arms restrictions on Greek Cyprus under an executive memorandum in January 2025 drew TRNC condemnation for reinforcing a “warmongering” impulse and destabilizing the island’s fragile peace.

These moves exclude the TRNC and feed into strategic imbalance. As analyst Murat Aslan cautioned, Western alliances exploiting Greek Cyprus risk sidelining TRNC and Türkiye in Eastern Mediterranean geopolitics.

3. Geopolitical Strategies Targeting TRNC

Recent reports outline Israel’s broader strategic aim to exclude both Türkiye and TRNC from regional energy equilibrium, particularly through initiatives like EastMed and the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, effectively using Greek Cypriot alignment as a wedge. This affirms the need for TRNC’s assertive response.

Assertive Sovereignty, Not Reaction

Instead of defensive posturing, the TRNC should project proactive sovereignty: offering reciprocal defense partnerships with Türkiye, reinforcing alignment with fellow Turkic states, and suing against militarization policies that exclude Turkish Cypriot participation. The speaker’s sentiment “We will tear down every table set against the TRNC”, should be cast as an unequivocal assertion of right to equal participation in regional security architecture.

Demand Legal Parity in Negotiations

It’s imperative to demand equal footing in Cyprus talks. As the TRNC President has emphasized, there can be:

“no common ground ... until TRNC sovereignty [is] recognized.”

This recognition must come before any negotiation proceeds; ignoring it renders talks inherently unjust.

3. Engagement Through International Law and Institutions

Turkish Cypriot institutions such as the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) have received landmark judicial validation — reinforcing TRNC’s standing as a legitimate actor under international law. Such judicial mechanisms undermine assertions of illegitimacy and reinforce sovereignty claims.

TCE Conclusion: A Unified and Assertive TRNC Response

This defense deal is not a mere military cooperation, it is emblematic of a trend to exclude Turkish Cypriots from regional security and perpetuate inequity. The TRNC must not merely respond; it must claim space:

• By asserting legal equality rooted in treaties and international law.

• By demanding recognition of TRNC sovereignty as a precondition for any multilateral arrangement.

• By engaging globally through democratic, judicial, and diplomatic channels as an equal partner.

In the spirit of Öztürkler’s forceful declaration, Turkish Cypriots will not stand aside as plans are made in rooms built upon exclusion and imbalance. Together with Türkiye, we stand firm in the lawful defense of our people, and our future.