Turkish Cyprus warns over France-Greek Cyprus defense pact

NICOSIA

France's Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin, left, and her Cypriot counterpart Vasilis Palmas pose for photos after signing an agreement during an informal EU defense meeting in Nicosia, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel has criticized a military cooperation agreement between France and Greek Cyprus, covering military cooperation and the deployment of French troops in southern Cyprus, saying it could undermine security and regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In a written statement, Üstel said the Status of Forces Agreement, known as SOFA, posed risks not only to the security of Turkish Cypriots but also, in the long term, to Greek Cypriots.

He argued that France, which he said had no historical, geographical or political ties to Cyprus, was seeking to expand its military presence in the region.

Üstel described the agreement as “an extremely wrong step,” warning that such moves could disturb the fragile balance in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He also said the deal ignored the Turkish Cypriot side.

“Those acting with the aim of changing the balances in the Eastern Mediterranean in their own favor should know very well that no initiative targeting the legitimate rights and interests of the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriot people will achieve its goal,” Üstel said.

The Turkish Cypriot authorities have previously objected to the planned SOFA between France and Greek Cyprus, saying any arrangement that disregards Turkish Cypriots would have no validity for them.

The agreement has been described by Greek Cypriot officials as part of efforts to deepen defense and security cooperation with France.

Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides announced the agreement’s entry into force on his official social media accounts.

In his statement, Christodoulides argued that the signing and implementation of the SOFA contribute to the shared European objective of strengthening the European Union’s strategic autonomy.