Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Friday that foreign military deployments to Cyprus should not become permanent, amid heightened regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict.
According to an official statement, Erdogan made the remarks during a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on Thursday.
Anadolu Agency reported that Erdogan said military elements deployed to Cyprus by some European countries under the pretext of the Iran war must remain temporary, while stressing that Turkey is prepared to take all necessary steps to defend the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'.
Erdogan added that Ankara would not allow the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots to be violated under any circumstances, the statement issued by the presidency’s Communications Directorate said.
The meeting took place at the Presidential Dolmabahce Office in Istanbul and focused on bilateral relations as well as regional developments.
Erdogan was accompanied by senior officials including National Intelligence Organisation head Ibrahim Kalin, foreign policy and security adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran and chief adviser Zafer Cubukcu.