Üstel says Greek Cypriot military build-up undermines peace rhetoric

His comments followed statements made during October 1 events by Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias.

Üstel said the combination of military modernisation, the presence of foreign military units and increasingly assertive rhetoric towards Türkiye and Turkish Cypriots was creating a contradiction with calls for reconciliation and reunification.

“On the one hand, they speak about reunification, while on the other they accelerate armament, bring foreign military elements to the island and use threatening language targeting the Turkish Cypriot people,” Üstel said.

He said the October 1 military parade, which included Greek fighter aircraft, Greek military units and personnel from other countries, should not be viewed in isolation.

According to Üstel, the Greek Cypriot side is also strengthening its air and maritime infrastructure and investing in new weapons systems as part of a wider deterrence policy.

He said these developments would inevitably be closely watched in the north.

“The Turkish Cypriot people will of course not ignore the presence of Greek fighter aircraft, Greek military units and foreign military elements, nor the strengthening of military infrastructure and investment in new weapons systems,” he said.

Üstel also reacted to comments by Dendias highlighting new capabilities being developed by the Greek armed forces and reaffirming Greece’s support for the Greek Cypriot side.

He said such statements reinforced the Turkish Cypriot view that Türkiye’s military presence and guarantee system remain central to security in the north.

“No one should question why the effective and actual guarantee of Türkiye and the presence of Turkish troops on the island are indispensable for us,” Üstel said.

He argued that recent developments demonstrated why Turkish Cypriots continue to regard those security arrangements as essential.

Üstel said the TRNC and Türkiye were not seeking confrontation or territory and insisted that their stated preference remained cooperation and regional stability.

“Our demand is not conflict, but cooperation; not tension, but stability,” he said.

However, he added that calls for peace should not be interpreted as a willingness to compromise on what he described as Turkish Cypriot sovereignty and security.